Arts Council England announces action plan to tackle barriers to classical music

Arts Council England (ACE) has today (11 November) published a nine-point plan in response to its major research report investigating the barriers to the classical music sector.

The significant new report commissioned by ACE found that young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds struggle to access a full range of learning and employment opportunities.

Entitled Creating a fairer and more inclusive classical music sector for England, the report looked at several key demographics within classical music education and workforce settings, including gender, ethnicity, disability and long-term health conditions, and socio-economic indicators.

Overriding message

At 41 pages long, the executive summary outlines a number of key findings, but ACE’s response highlights that ‘cutting across all other factors’ is evidence that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds struggle to access learning and employment opportunities in the sector.

Datasets from the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), BBC, Conservatoires UK, Musicians’ Union (MU), Music Education Hubs, national youth music ensembles, and other levels of the classical music pipeline contributed to the research.

ACE has identified nine initial actions in response to the report, including working with a range of partners in a ‘major new project’ starting in the Midlands. The project will test initiatives that aim to make sustainable careers in classical music an achievable goal for a wider range of young people. 

Informing policy

Other action points include ACE working with the Department for Education (DfE) to explore how their research can ‘inform future music education policy and delivery, including the forthcoming new National Plan for Music Education.’

Elsewhere in the report, findings show that young people with special educational needs are underrepresented in musical learning opportunities, particularly where those opportunities are optional, and in ‘elite’ training like national youth ensembles. 

Responding to the report, deputy general secretary of the Musicians’ Union Naomi Pohl said: ‘This substantial piece of research will enable the sector to have informed conversations about diversity, target diversity cold spots, and benchmark and assess progress. 

‘It will also further our understanding of the barriers different communities face accessing music education and pursuing a career in classical music.’

Professor Linda Merrick, principal at the Royal Northern College of Music and chair of Conservatoires UK, said: ‘While much positive progress is being made, the initial research published by Arts Council England draws attention to the barriers that still exist. 

‘CUK believes that these barriers can only be overcome through the collective efforts of organisations working across the classical music sector and will continue to fulfil its distinctive role of supporting and nurturing future talent, providing meaningful opportunities for young musicians of all backgrounds to progress and realise their musical potential.’

Commissioned in summer 2019, the report was produced by ICM Unlimited and DHA Communications. 

All parts of the report, including the response, can be read in full here.