The National Centre for Arts Education
Added to website 17/06/2025. Updated 30/09/2026.
This collection of resources brings together news and documents relating to the The National Centre for Arts Education. Find out more about what Music Mark is doing to support its Members and stay up to date with the latest news.
On 18th March 2025, the Government announced its plan for the development of a National Centre for Arts and Music Education. The National Centre for Arts and Music Education aims to promote opportunities for children and young people to pursue their artistic and creative interests and will be the fund holder for the Music Hub programme. Read the Department for Education announcement.
We welcomed this announcement from the Education Secretary, and were pleased to see Government Ministers recognising music education as an important focus, giving it a platform within the broader education landscape. Read Music Mark’s full response to the announcement.
Announcement of Etio as Delivery Partner for the National Centre for Arts Education
On 14th September 2026, Etio was announced as as the delivery partner for the establishment and operation of the National Centre for Arts Education. Music Mark is committed to developing its role with Etio as a trusted partner, advocate, and critical friend, ensuring the voices of members and the wider sector help shape this important next chapter. Read Music Mark’s full statement in response to the announcement.
Further details were released on 28th September 2026 in an article by Arts Professional. Read the article.
Music Mark will hold a Big Meet for its Members on 13th October 2026 in which Etio will share its vision, priorities and plans. Sign up to attend the Big Meet.
Invitation to Tender
A tender notice was issued for the National Centre for Arts and Music Education on 18th February 2026. The tender submission deadline was 29th April 2026 at 12:00 with the successful bidder to receive a 3-year contract (September 2026 to August 2029) worth £13,000,000 with a possible further 3-years (to 2032). Music Mark prepared a summary of the tender documents for information. Download our summary.
A planned procurement notice for the National Centre for Arts and Music Education was published on 6th February 2026. Find out more in our news article.
An Update for Music Mark Members
On 10th July 2025, we published an update on everything we know about the National Centre for Arts and Music Education so far and outlined our position going forward. Music Mark Members can read the update here.
Public Engagement
On 28th May 2025, The Department for Education announced the details of two phases of engagement that would inform the procurement of the National Centre for Arts and Music Education. Read Music Mark’s article on the Public Engagement Notice.
The initial phase of engagement was a set of roundtable discussions with experts in arts and music education.
The second phase of engagement involved three online meetings for interested parties, including prospective bidders. Find out more about the Public Engagement.
A clarification document has been produced with answers to questions that arose during the Public Engagement.
Music Mark Meetings
Following the announcement of the National Centre for Arts and Music Education, Music Mark held two meetings to provide an opportunity to explore what this might mean for everyone working across the music education ecology:
- 30th April 2025: Big Meet for Members and Partners
- 6th May 2025: Meeting for Hub Lead Organisation Members
National Music Education Network Roundtable Meetings
The National Centre for Arts and Music Education originated from a 2024 Labour Party Manifesto promise to establish a National Music Education Network. Find out more about Music Mark’s response to the Labour Party Manifesto.
In the autumn of 2024, Music Mark convened a roundtable discussion in order to help the government and the music education sector to think through this idea in greater depth. Two further sessions took place in January 2025. Representatives from both the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) attended these discussions. Find out more about about the roundtable meetings in a blog written by Music Mark CEO, Bridget Whyte.
About the Provider
Music Mark
We are a membership organisation, Subject Association, and an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) advocating for excellent musical learning in and out of school.
