ACE announces new Hub Lead Organisations

Arts Council England has announced all but two of the new Hub Lead Organisations that will help deliver the government’s National Plan for Music Education and ACE’s 2023-30 strategic vision, Let’s Create, from September 2024.

(You can view the full list of new HLOs at the end of this article, or download ACE’ s spreadsheet.)

The announcement marks the next phase of the Music Hub Investment Programme, which is seeing the number of hubs reduce from 116 to 43 in a bid to share expertise and best practice more widely.

Between July and October 2023, organisations could apply to be the HLO for one of 43 new geographical areas created by ACE and the DfE following a series of public consultations and focus groups.

Applicants were notified of the results on 8 April, in line with the Investment Process timeline, but the news was embargoed until after the local elections, which require a pause on communications about government funding.

The eventual public announcement, on 7 May, came with news that for two hub areas – London South West and South Yorkshire – it was not possible to appoint HLOs. The application process for these two areas is being re-run, with decisions expected in July.

The 43 new HLOs will receive a share of over £101m from the DfE, including £76m to coordinate music education through strategic partnerships and £25m to invest in musical instruments, equipment and technology, including resources specifically for children and young people with SEND.

Over the coming months, the HLOs will work with ACE to negotiate funding agreements and prepare strategic partnerships ahead of beginning their roles in September.

In a statement announcing the HLOs, ACE said: ‘The Hub Lead Organisations will work in partnership with schools, colleges, universities, cultural organisations, local authorities and other educational, creative and community organisations to deliver a broad range of musical activities which are inclusive to pupils from all backgrounds, as well as access to teachers working with a wider variety of instruments, supported by a more connected music education workforce.’ 

Bridget Whyte, chief executive of Music Mark, commented: ‘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.’ 

However, the Investment Programme has been criticised by some in the sector, particularly the ISM, which has questioned the lack of transparency throughout the process.

In September 2023, ISM chief executive Deborah Annetts wrote to the then schools minister, Nick Gibb, saying: ‘The DfE’s rationale for reducing the number of hubs has never truly addressed their concerns regarding the existing model or explained how the new model will provide better access to all young people. It has never been supported with any research or justification. Despite a consultation process where the majority of knowledgeable respondents requested the smallest reduction in the numbers of hubs, the DfE and ACE ignored these responses and pressed ahead with their clearly preferred option of slashing the numbers to almost a third.’

The full list of new HLOs by area is as follows: