Sound Connections joins Arts Council England’s 2023-26 Investment Programme as an NPO!

Sound Connections is delighted to announce that it will be joining the Arts Council England 2023 – 2026 Investment Programme as a National Portfolio Organisation.

Through this funding we will deliver a youth-led programme supporting a diverse and dynamic community of young Londoners through youth voice and participation opportunities, needs based training and professional development for people working in UK music education, cultural and youth organisations, and strategic support for the sector, from Music Hubs and grassroots charities, to venues and orchestras.

Increased support from Arts Council England to support music education in the very widest sense is welcome and we are thrilled to see many organisations recognised for their vital work, including AudioActive, Awards for Young Musicians, Brighter Sound, Create Define Release, Ruff Sqwad Arts, and Orchestras for All, who, like us, are new to the portfolio.

As well as growing our work in London we can now extend our training and professional development opportunities across England enabling more organisations to access what we offer. We look forward to making many more vital connections and supporting young people, music leaders and organisations over the coming years. We know that some music and arts organisations have not received the funding they had hoped for and we will continue to work with our colleagues and organisations to support the wider sector.

Norton York, Chair of Sound Connections, said,

‘We are honoured and delighted to have successfully applied to the Arts Council England for National Portfolio Organisation status. This is an important next stage in Sound Connections’ twenty years of championing London’s young people and their musical ambitions. We will do our utmost to use this new funding to fast forward the emerging and young artistic talent in our capital city and across England.’

Find out more about Arts Council England’s 2023-26 Investment Programme