Arts Council England announces the outcomes of ‘Music Hub’ bids

Arts Council England (ACE) has announced the outcomes of bids from organisations over the country seeking funding to support music education through music services and partners.

In Shropshire the lead organisation in the successful bid is the council’s Shropshire Music Service.

Central government used to provide some limited funds to council music services, and this aspect of the annual budget has now been replaced by a lesser amount nationally through a bidding process administered by Arts Council England.

Shropshire has been awarded around £300,000 a year for the next three years to support the music service’s annual budget, but with a clear list of requirements from ACE on what needs to be provided.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for education and skills, said:

“This successful bid means than over the next three years the music service will have a smaller reduction in budget than had been anticipated, which is good news in the current climate.

“It means that many of the tried and tested initiatives that the service and partners in schools have been undertaking in recent years can continue to provide high quality opportunities for young people to take the first steps in learning to play a musical instrument.”

Head of Shropshire Music Service, Keith Havercroft, added:

“I am delighted that the music service will be able to work with our partners in schools, with the Education Improvement Service and with our colleagues in The Hive and our partner service in Telford to continue to provide a wide range of music education activities which have for many years been valued by schools and parents alike in Shropshire.”