Kent Music wins bid to lead county’s new music hub

Education charity Kent Music has been named lead organisation for the new Kent & Medway Music Hub, as part of a programme to provide high-quality music education for children and young people across the UK.

Supported by Arts Council England with funding from the Department for Education, these music hubs will forge partnerships with schools, further education providers, cultural organisations and local authorities.

Each one is led by a hub lead organisation, which is responsible for the hub’s relationship with Arts Council England and receives and distributes funding, leading the music education strategy in the area.

Last year, Arts Council England confirmed the introduction of 43 music hubs from September 2024, replacing the existing 118 music education hubs.

Kent Music has overseen the county’s music education hub for the past decade, and is set to continue in this leading role through the transition.

The new Kent & Medway Music Hub will launch in September 2024.

Peter Bolton, chief executive of Kent Music, said: “We’re thrilled to have been successful in our bid to champion and facilitate opportunities for high quality music education across Kent and Medway, working collaboratively with our partner organisations.

“Over the next six months, we’ll be conducting a detailed needs analysis of Medway in consultation with schools, cultural organisations, public bodies and other organisations that provide services for children and young people.

“We’ll publish a detailed strategy towards the end of the year, enabling us to fulfil the commitments set out in our bid and deliver on our ongoing mission to develop musical opportunities that support the aspirations of children and young people in Kent and Medway.”

Hazel Edwards, South East area director for Arts Council England, added: “We’re 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’ll 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’re 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.”