Music Belongs To Everyone': Ed Sheeran Inspires £12.5 Million Music Education Initiative In England
The initiative will turn public libraries into music hubs with free access to recording, rehearsal, performance and music education
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Global pop star Ed Sheeran has inspired a major new UK government-backed music education initiative aimed at expanding access to music for young people across England.
Backed by £12.5 million in funding, the Music in Libraries programme forms part of the government's wider Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music strategy. The initiative will transform public libraries into creative music hubs equipped with recording studios, rehearsal spaces and live performance facilities, offering free access to music education, mentorship and industry resources.
The programme was inspired by Sheeran's long-standing advocacy for music education through the Ed Sheeran Foundation. Following discussions with UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy during a visit to the youth arts organisation Brighten The Corners in Ipswich last year, the singer championed the idea of using public libraries as community spaces to make music education more accessible. The foundation will help co-design the initiative alongside educators, youth organisations and industry experts.
Speaking about the programme, Sheeran said, "Music belongs to everyone, not just the privileged few," reinforcing his belief that access to music education should not depend on economic background.
More than 150 library authorities across England will be eligible to apply for funding to create dedicated music spaces featuring recording booths, mixing desks, instruments and other professional equipment.
The initiative is expected to provide thousands of young people with opportunities to learn, create and perform music beyond the classroom. Funding will come through the UK's Dormant Assets Scheme, which directs unclaimed financial assets towards social impact projects.
The announcement builds on Sheeran's continued campaign to strengthen music education in the UK. Earlier, the singer established the Ed Sheeran Foundation to support grassroots music programmes and improve access to arts education for young people.