Youth Music Awards

First things first. Why don’t you kick off 2025 doing something positive – celebrate a person or organisation by nominating them for a Youth Music Award! We can’t wait to hear about this year’s inspirational grassroots music projects and young creatives. There are 11 categories shining a light on music producers, lyricists, music leaders, trailblazing projects, and more. Nominations are open to anyone who has received funding or was involved in a Youth Music project in the last five years. If you’ve missed out before, there’s nothing to stop you putting in again. The deadline is 16 February 2025.

The Challenges

Last year’s Sound of the Next Generation 2024 research confirmed what we’d known all along. That music is central to the lives of babies, toddlers, children and young people. We’re all about equalising access to music. This year, we’ll continue to support marginalised young people to make and monetise music through our Trailblazer, Catalyser and NextGen Funds.

More challenging times ahead. We were devastated last year to learn that 25% of organisations who responded to our survey were considering closure. There is no silver bullet for this. Especially since we’re experiencing record demand for our funding. The amounts applied for in Trailblazer and Catalyser Funds have both have seen a 77% increase in applications since the time they launched in 2022.   

The Solution: More Funding

We want to rise to the challenge and show up for the grassroots organisations that are dealing with the daily complexities posed by the current economic and social environment. Our flagship fundraising campaign Rescue the Roots launches next month, with some big names already signed up to support. Our Exchanging Notes online learning programme will continue to bring you relevant support, amongst a community of like-minded peers. 

New funding opportunities. We’re working on some exciting new funds which are set to launch by the end of the year. The first, supported by our National Lottery income, will have a focus on equalising creative access for Disabled, d/Deaf or neurodivergent young people (working beyond music, in line with our funding agreement requirements from Arts Council England). The second will be a dedicated fund and support offer for young creatives in response to the findings of our Industry Connect research. It will integrate the business and entrepreneurial skills and learning young creatives need for a sustainable career in today’s modern industries.
 

Industry Connect

Watch this space for more news about the Industry Connect Coalition, our new platform to bring together young creatives and the industries to unite for change through events, meet-ups and policy work. Sign up to stay updated with the latest developments. 

New events and a fresh look

Coming to a town near you! This year, in-person NextGen events for young creatives will take place in Leeds, Brighton, Nottingham and Liverpool. Kicking off at Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds on Tuesday 11 February, we explore the role of record labels in today’s music industry. Sign up for tickets to this free NextGen event here.

New year, new look? We’re merging the Youth Music and Youth Music Network into a one-stop-shop that unites all our work and partnerships. Currently in testing phase, the new website will be gracing your screens in the coming months.

The New Government

Wondering what difference the new Labour Government will make to children and young people’s lives? So are we. Early signs are positive – a curriculum and assessment review to make school learning more inclusive and creative; plans for a youth strategy co-created with young people, a new guarantee for education, training, apprenticeships and careers advice for 18-21 year olds, promised steps to improve access to mental health services for young people, and new research showing arts and culture’s health and wellbeing benefits. But that comes amid employer national insurance hikes hitting the very organisations that will be essential to delivering on their aspirations. We watch and wait, hopeful of more, swift, tangible progress. 

The Sounds of 2025

Let’s end on a positive, and think about the things that will bring us joy in 2025. If you, like us, are music lovers and young people champions, then check out the talented NextGen Ones to Watch in 2025. And listen to the Sounds of the NextGen Spotify Playlist for 8 hours of new music. Enjoy!