News

NYMO lose more than half a million pounds in funding

The DfE will not renew their current grant
The National Youth Orchestra is one of 15 youth music organisations in NYMO
The National Youth Orchestra is one of 15 youth music organisations in NYMO - © National Youth Orchestra

The National Youth Music Organisations (NYMO) are to lose their £525,000 grant from the Department for Education.

The DfE’s current grant expires in March 2025 and will not be renewed.

NYMO will not be immediately impacted, because Arts Council England (ACE) has agreed to cover the funding gap in 2025–26.

The DfE’s decision has prompted a letter from the Independent Society of Musicians to Minister of State for Education Catherine McKinnell. ISM CEO Deborah Annetts said: ‘Although the ISM and many in the sector have been encouraged by the warm words on music education from the Labour Government and proactive decisions such as those on TPS for Music Hubs, Hubs are still waiting for confirmation of their funding past 31 August 2025 and this decision to remove funding from the NYMOs seem at odds with public announcements from ministers in both the DfE and DCMS on music education. It also runs counter to the government’s growth strategy where the creative industries are a key part of the industrial strategy.’

NYMO represent 15 youth music organisations including national level bands, orchestras, choirs and other ensembles in a diversity of genres and musical traditions. Among them are the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Choir, Pagoda Arts, National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Music for Youth, UD, SAMYO, and Orchestras for All.

The DfE decision comes at a time that the government has announced the new £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector.

National Youth Music Organisations