Norfolk County Council appointed to lead Music Hubs for Norfolk and Suffolk
Norfolk County Council has been appointed by Arts Council England to lead both the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub from September 2024, as part of an ambitious national programme to provide high-quality music education for all children and young people.
Norfolk County Council's Music Service has led the Norfolk Music Hub, a partnership of organisations and schools which engage with Norfolk's children and young people in music making, since 2012.
The Arts Council England funds Music Hubs across the country, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). It has decided to reduce the number of Music Hubs across England from 118 to 43, including a combined hub for Norfolk and Suffolk. Norfolk has won the bid to lead this hub.
As the new Hub Lead Organisation for both counties, Norfolk County Council will receive just over £2m from the DfE to coordinate music education, plus £661,967 to invest in new musical instruments, equipment and technology tailored to the needs of children and young people in Norfolk , including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The council will deliver high quality music education accessible to all children and young people in Norfolk and Suffolk through diverse partnerships between educational, creative and community organisations, in their local communities and throughout the country.
Councillor Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "We are thrilled to be successful in our bid to lead the Music Hub for the children and young people of Norfolk and Suffolk. This funding has secured our role in music education in the county, with a specific focus on supporting those with special educational needs and those from more disadvantaged communities.
"We want all children and young people in Norfolk and Suffolk to benefit from the joy and opportunity that music brings, creatively, educationally and from a wellbeing perspective."
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of 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."
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England, said: "We are so pleased to bring forward a new generation of Music Hubs in the South East, ensuring all children and young people can learn and make music. They will do so thanks to the investment committed by the Department for Education, including an additional fund to invest in musical instruments, equipment and technology so that children and young people's creativity can flourish. We are thrilled to help nurture the musical interests of all children and young people in the South East, no matter who they are, or where they live."