National Centre for Music & Arts: Tender Update
9th February 2026
On Friday 6th February, the Department for Education released an update on the upcoming tender process for the National Centre for Music and Arts Education. While this notification shares further details, it does not officially launch the tender process. The tender document is scheduled for publication on 16th February, with a submission deadline of 27th April. Notably, the update provides new insights to help the sector better understand the Centre’s role. It also confirms the Centre will receive a three-year contract (September 2026 to August 2029) worth £13 million, with a possible extension for another three years (to 2032).
Arts Council England, the current fundholder for the Music Hub Network, will continue distributing funding for another academic year (September 2026 to August 2027). As a result, the National Centre will not manage this funding in its first year; instead, it will focus on preparing to assume the fundholder role from September 2027. The £13 million contract value will be allocated over three years, with funding increasing each year as the Centre expands its services.
The notification also confirms that the availability of Capital Funding for Music Hubs has been extended to April 2027. Music Mark is pleased with this outcome, which follows our letter to the Schools’ Minister in January, requesting the extension.
Much of the notification reiterates previously shared information about the National Centre’s role. This includes setting up and signposting training opportunities for classroom teachers, providing guidance to promote arts subjects in schools, and highlighting arts and cultural opportunities and partnerships for schools. However, there is a new element regarding fundraising:
Delivering an ethical, transparent and sustainable social impact programme that builds partnerships with philanthropy and strengthens long-term financial resilience to support the delivery of the Centre’s three priorities; as well as supporting the Music Hubs network in fundraising.
When the tender document is published on 16th February, it will be interesting to see whether it provides further details on the National Centre’s fundraising responsibilities and other key activities.
Alongside this notification, the Department for Education also released the Music Hub Evaluation Interim Report. Music Mark is currently reviewing the 95-page report and will publish a response soon. The executive summary highlights that ‘Music Hubs continue to provide services highly valued by schools, teachers, parents, and pupils’. However, the report also notes that funding remains a significant challenge, limiting access to these services.
