The funds will help Orchestras for All break down significant barriers to music-making for thousands of aspiring young musicians in the UK.
Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce that it has secured vital new funding from Arts Council England (ACE) to assist the charity in continuing its life-changing work.
Also known as the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Transfer Programme, the generous funding supports arts organisations to ‘deliver creative and cultural activity which delivers against the Outcomes in Let’s Create, Arts Council England’s Strategy (2020-30)’.
The news comes as ACE shares its plans to invest £446 million per annum in 990 organisations (including 276 new organisations of all shapes and sizes) over the next three years, following 1,700 applications to the programme – enabling even more people to enjoy the comfort, distraction and everyday wonders afforded to local communities through creativity and culture during tough economic times and wherever they are.
As part of the programme, successful organisations must be open to moving their registered office out of London to another UK-based location by October 2024 – this will present exciting new opportunities for OFA, which has fully embraced a remote/hybrid working pattern following the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the music education sector.
Benefits of the transfer might include strengthening the charity’s national team, effective new ways of staying connected, in-person meetings in different cities, exploring deeper partnerships with music venues and regions as well as allowing team members to collaborate in a way that works best for them, taking into account accessibility, flexibility and wellbeing.
National Orchestra for All Ambassador and young carer, Isaac, said: “This is fantastic news. I’m so glad that OFA’s got the funding to improve the lives of young people – just like they did for me. Their commitment for making a space where young people can thrive both musically and socially is unique.”
Pictured: Young musicians from schools across the UK gather for OFA’s Modulo Programme at the RNCM
Youth Board member, Mars, added: “A big thank you to Arts Council England; NOFA has been something I’ve looked forward to year after year and thanks to this grant, I know NOFA will be able to inspire and empower a new generation of musicians.”
Over the past decade, OFA has strived to become fully national, broadening and diversifying its core team while also recruiting young musicians, maintained schools, music leaders and volunteers from across the country for its three powerful programmes.
Its inclusive, non-auditioned National Orchestra for All (NOFA) brings together 100 young musicians from across the UK who would otherwise be unable to access musical opportunities – whether that’s due to a physical disability, mental health condition, economic deprivation or rural isolation – while the charity’s Modulo and Music Leadership Training programmes equip under-resourced music leaders with the vital tools and support they need to run their own inclusive ensembles in schools and local communities.
Former National Orchestra for All trumpeter, Kate, said: “It’s brilliant to hear that we’ve been chosen for ACE’s funding. It makes a massive difference to how we can deliver and create our programmes to those who need it most. It’s also amazing to see our wee organisation get recognised for the tireless work that we do – our young people are craicer!”
NOFA Ambassador and woodwind player, Joe, commented: “OFA will do so much with that amazing money. The Arts Council proves yet again that there will always be room for the creative industry and I’m so glad that we can go forward as part of that movement.”
OFA’s Executive Director, Nick Thorne, added: “This is a milestone moment for Orchestras for All; thank you to Arts Council England for believing in our vision to break down barriers to give all young people the life-changing experience of making music together. Thank you to every single person that has supported us on our journey so far, but special mention from me to the young people we work with who inspire me each day through their passion, energy and barrier-smashing enthusiasm towards our work.
“While we take this moment to celebrate, the journey doesn’t end here – our mission just becomes more important and support from current and new donors becomes ever more vital. Please join us as we continue to champion inclusive music-making nationwide.”
On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank Arts Council England for this incredible opportunity and our thoughts are with other organisations across the arts sector who will be receiving news today.
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