Funding supports Music Partnership North’s recovery

26 May 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Music Partnership North, the Music Education Hub for Northumberland County Council and Newcastle City Council are to receive £205,577 from the second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. 

Music Partnership North are among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund 

The funding will help the organisation recover and reopen – supporting the ongoing delivery of exceptional music education across the region. 

Music Partnership North work with families, schools and arts organisations to support the musical learning and progression of all students. They deliver instrumental tuition, on a wide range of instruments, in both small and large groups settings and run a number of county wide ensembles. 

Through the funding received they will be able to reverse the current 45% decrease in students participating in instrumental tuition through a series of subsidised initiatives and support packages. The grant will also reduce the financial losses incurred during the pandemic and support the creation of 2 large scale online musical events, The Big Gig and Unity through Music 2. 

David Francis, the acting Lead officer for MPN said: “As parents focus on getting their child’s education back on track, it is feared that some will see music as desirable but not essential. If we don’t act now to support children, families and communities by making music accessible, affordable, and relevant to their child’s education we will lose a generation of musicians and they will lose out on the life-enhancing benefits of cultural engagement. This funding will enable us to provide an affordable and supportive service to all students in our region. 

“Never has music and the arts been more important in supporting the health and wellbeing of the young people in our region, we thank Arts Council England, Northumberland County Council and Newcastle City Council in their continued support.” 
Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead. 

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. 

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead." 

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. 

We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.” 

The funding awarded is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.