The Independent Society Of Musicians has written to the UK government about the revamp of music education hubs in England that is currently underway. It raises a number of concerns about the revamp, including the fact that no clear rationale for such a significant restructure has ever been provided.
Music education hubs support schools and other organisations in each local area, to provide access to music education for young people around England.
Funded by government via Arts Council England, each hub is run day-to-day by a lead organisation. The big revamp will significantly reduce the total number of hubs, with each lead organisation providing support to a larger region than under the current system.
In a statement yesterday, ISM said: "No case has been made as to how the new hub structure will provide better access to music education for all young people".
Its letter to Schools Minister Nick Gibb also raises concerns about the timeline for the revamp and the pressure that has put on lead organisations, as they try to provide existing services while also engaging with the process via which organisations will be appointed to run the new bigger hubs.
It adds that the concerns raised in the letter have been brought to ISM by those working in the hub system, many of whom feel unable to raise their concerns directly with government or the Arts Council because "they fear that this will be held against them during current and future application and funding processes".
The letter sets out seven specific questions, including: "What is the evidence that shows reducing hubs will improve the offer?"; "What is the justification for such a short timeline of consultation and reform?"; and "Will you give assurances that hubs are not being set up to fail?"
ISM CEO Deborah Annetts adds: "We’re raising these concerns directly with the minister in charge because [the music hub restructure] has been shrouded in secrecy and the sector has never been given a clear justification for the reinvestment process. Many hubs and those who work within them have dedicated themselves to their work and music education for years. They deserve answers".