South West children to benefit from a new generation of Music Hubs

Arts Council England has this week announced a new generation of Music Hubs, covering every part of England, including seven music hubs in the South West.

These Hubs will form an ambitious national programme providing high-quality music education for all children and young people through investment in musical activities, equipment, and teacher training.

The new Music Hubs will help to deliver the Government’s National Plan for Music Education.

This plan aims to give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their musical talents fully, by ensuring that children and young people across the country have the chance to learn to sing, play instruments, and make music with their peers.

The new Hubs will also help to deliver the Arts Council’s 10-year strategy, Let’s Create, which aims to improve access to creativity and culture for all children, no matter what their background or where they live.

Building on the extensive work existing Music Education Hubs have undertaken in the South West since 2011, the new Hubs will be led by seven Hub Lead Organisations (HLOs) from September 2024.  The HLOs will work in partnership with schools, colleges, universities, cultural organisations, local authorities, and other educational, creative, and community organisations, to form a Music Hub covering the whole of their region.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England, said: "Music education is enormously powerful – it can enrich young people's lives, help them connect with the people around them, and start them on the pathway to fruitful and fulfilling careers. We are excited to announce this investment in a new generation of Music Hubs, which will support the brilliant work of our dedicated music teachers across the country, and help bring high-quality music education to even more children and young people in every part of England.”

HLOs in the South West will receive over £12.5 million from the Department for Education. This includes £9.4 million in regular funding for the Music Hubs programme and £3.1 million to invest in musical instruments, equipment, and technology.  This will include resources specifically designed for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Activities will be inclusive to all backgrounds and abilities, offering a wide range of traditional and adaptive instruments, supported by a better-connected music education workforce. 

Hubs will tailor their activities based on local needs and resources, providing a variety of creative opportunities across the region for all ages and abilities to enjoy.

In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, some of the country’s most rural communities will engage with a career progression programme, apprenticeships and subsidised music lessons;

Look to Devon, Plymouth & Torbay for a new Music for Youth Regional Festival that will platform budding talent, plus three annual career fairs;

• Across Bristol and the West of England, young people will access state-of-the-art recording studios, rehearsal rooms and performance spaces; 
• Dorset and Somerset will introduce new songwriting groups, youth bands and routes into digital production; 
• Throughout the Solent area, bespoke Early Years activities and an online directory of local opportunities will help locals overcome barriers to participation; 
• Whilst in Gloucestershire, Swindon, and Wiltshire classrooms will gain access to the latest recording software and adaptive technologies, plus outdoor performance spaces and podcasting facilities; 
• Children in Hampshire will be encouraged to pick up their first musical instruments, sing in choirs, and experience local concert halls; 
• Region-wide, teachers and practitioners will be offered a dynamic programme of training and support to help the next generation succeed.

This South West investment is part of the £101 million being allocated to Music Hubs across England as a whole.

Phil Gibby, South West Area Director, Arts Council England, added: “We are thrilled to award £12.5 million from the Department for Education to seven Music Hubs across the South West. Each Hub Lead Organisation will link thousands of children and young people with high-quality music education - because everyone everywhere should be able to pick up an instrument and express themselves. This support package includes more than £3 million to purchase the latest industry technology and equipment - sure to remove barriers for aspiring creatives so their ideas can reach new heights. Thanks to public funding and the dedication of talented folks across the sector, a new generation is set to sing, compose, and play their way to a fairer future."   

Bridget Whyte, Chief Executive at Music Mark said: “The UK Association for Music Education - Music Mark is looking forward to supporting the new Hub Lead Organisations and the many partners they will work with to support children and young people’s music education across the country. Building on the many successful and exciting programmes of activity delivered by the Music Education Hub Partnerships between 2012 and 2024, this new network will continue to engage our talented and diverse music education workforce to support schools as well as providing opportunities in local communities which will enable students to develop their musical skills.

“Within these programmes of activity, will be our next generation of music industry employees, but we also know that all participating students will gain skills which will enrich and sustain a life-long connection to music.”