We're here to prove that music isn’t just for some – it’s for everyone.

We turn data into action – helping young people not just make music but make a living from it. 

Our research drives change, holding us accountable as a bold, equitable changemaker. 

96%

NextGen creatives agree that funding improved their self-confidence and belief

As well as improving the quality of their work and enabling them to make things happen on their own terms

120,000+

children and young people making, learning and earning in music

We invest in grassroots music making across the nation, with 87% of our funding invested outside of London over the last year

£9.7 million

invested in young people’s creativity

Over the last year, we’ve invested in 292 new grants including over £250k in 102 NextGen creatives

Our Impact
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Contact us

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Youth Music Awards

The Youth Music Awards is a vibrant celebration of young talent, representing the future of music with every beat and lyric.
 

Latest News

A grey square with Shift The Scene Fund written on it. The words are highlighted in red, blue and yellow.
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Meet the Shift The Scene Recipients

Meet the recipients of Youth Music’s Shift The Scene Fund. These organisations are co-creating ambitious, inclusive creative programmes with Disabled young people and shifting how the sector designs access and opportunity.

 

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JAYAHADADREAM holding two awards, sunglasses on and smiling
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Youth Music Supported Artists Winning Big

Artists supported by Youth Music are gaining major industry recognition, from award wins to festival stages. Discover how early support, including the NextGen Fund, is helping emerging talent break through.

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Youth Music Auction banner
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Youth Music’s First‑Ever Fundraising Auction:

Young people across the UK are at risk of losing access to life‑changing music projects. Join Youth Music’s first-ever fundraising auction and help protect the future of grassroots music. Your bid can make a real difference

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Adam stands outdoors at night wearing a patterned shirt and dark cap, with a brightly lit building behind them covered in colourful projected artwork.
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Announcing Our New CEO

Youth Music announces the appointment of Adam Joolia as our new CEO. Adam brings two decades of leadership in music and social change and will guide our next strategic phase focused on equity, youth voice and sector partnerships.

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Young woman in a colourful top with a saxophone on stage
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a young artist reflects on inequality and the graduate job crisis

Sambambo is a 27-year-old session saxophonist, freelance sound engineer and self-producing independent artist. 

During the final session of our recent Industry Connect Coalition event in Bristol, Sam raised the graduate job crisis as a key ‘elephant in the room’. Here is Sam’s take on what many young people are thinking. 

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sam fender holds a microphone stand and looks to the left
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Sam Fender Tour Raises £50,000 for Youth Music

Sam Fender has raised £50,000 from 'People Watching Tour' ticket donations, to be match funded through our Rescue the Roots campaign.

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Women's History Month: Young Women in Theatre Audio

This Women's History Month, NextGen writer Sarah Victoria shares her account of the challenges young women face in theatre audio, from everyday misogyny to unsafe working cultures, and the changes needed across the industry.

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Industry Connect Coalition Heads to Bristol

Our fourth Industry Connect Coalition headed to Bristol, uniting creatives, industry leaders and young voices to drive change for music and youth futures.

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Five Youth Music Funded Projects Breaking the Gender Bias

This Women’s History Month, meet seven Youth Music-funded projects that are challenging gender inequality and empowering women and girls across the music industries.

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Five children playing different instruments in a Rocksteady classroom
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How Music Is Transforming Children’s Experience at School

New research shows how band-based music lessons are transforming children’s confidence, sense of belonging and overall school experience. Discover why music matters more than ever.

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