22.04.2025: UK Music has launched a mini-report to mark the 10th anniversary of its MAP (Music Academic Partnership) initiative, which is designed to inspire people from all backgrounds to pursue a career in music.  

The MAP mini-report highlights the incredible work of its members, with the launch coinciding with a special anniversary event on Wednesday April 23 at the House of Lords in Westminster.

The mini-report concludes with five recommendations for how government can support music education through effective policy, from hiring 1,000 new music teachers to increasing the Initial Teacher Training Bursary. More information about the recommendations can be found here.

Since launching in 2015, MAP has worked to nurture collaborative projects such as research and careers events aimed at informing and engaging with the next generation of industry professionals, from the brightest creators and performers to the executives of tomorrow. By bringing the music industry and the education sector together, it has provided individuals across the UK with incredible opportunities to take the next steps in their career, equipping them with expert knowledge and practical advice.  

UK Music Director of Education & Skills, Dr Oliver Morris, said: “I am delighted to be celebrating MAP’s 10-Year Anniversary. It gives us all a moment to reflect upon not only the amazing work being done by our fantastic MAP members but also all the often unsung champions working tirelessly across the UK to make music accessible, educational, and fun.

“MAP has given UK Music and our members invaluable links to educators, institutions, organisations, staff and students and has become a valued and supportive network for all involved. I would like to especially thank all the aforementioned staff and students of our MAP members who have made my time running the network so much fun as well as so informative over the years!

“From supporting students starting out on research careers to introducing them to industry figures on the MAP Tour, and from supporting large-scale research bids to celebrating the successes of the members through the Outstanding MAP Graduate Awards (OMGs) we are always developing new ways to engage and nurture the MAP collective.

“The recent success of MusicFutures in Liverpool with UK Music as key partner – facilitated through the MAP connection – will allow groundbreaking and innovative action research to explore many of the fundamental challenges facing the music industry. Collaborative projects such as this are becoming ever more key to our understanding of the landscape and our ability to action change. 

 “I am both humbled that MAP continues to inspire such engagement after 10 years and excited at what the future holds. I encourage you to get in touch if you would like to find out more about MAP and maybe feel the time is right to join this exciting network.” 

UK Music and acclaimed artist Shao Dow recently completed a tour of schools across the East Midlands with the aim of inspiring and educating young people about the music industry. The tour started on March 3 and ran until March 27 under the project funded by Arts Council England. You can read more about the tour here.

For more information on MAP and its members click here.  

You can read the mini report here.