Ed Sheeran is taking a stand for music education in the UK with the launch of his new foundation, aimed at addressing educational inequality and promoting opportunities for young people to explore music.
According to a 2019 BPI survey, one in four schools serving disadvantaged communities currently offers no music lessons. Recognizing the impact this has on creativity and opportunity, Sheeran is determined to change the narrative.
The foundation, known as the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation, will offer grants to young people under 18 living in Suffolk. These grants can be used for anything related to music education, from buying an instrument to funding lessons or renting rehearsal space.
Sheeran marked the foundation’s launch by visiting schools in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Belfast, where he spoke about the importance of music education and its transformative power.
In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Sheeran shared his inspiration behind the initiative:
“Recently there’s been less and less importance being put on music education. Even when I was in school, it was seen as a ‘doss subject’ and not taken seriously. There’s a misconception that it’s ‘not a real job’—but the music industry accounts for 216,000 jobs and brings in as much as £7.6 billion a year to the UK economy.”
Sheeran also highlighted the impact music had on his own mental health and sense of purpose as a child, adding, “I want kids to be able to learn instruments, songwriting, and production, and have apprenticeship schemes to help them learn different skills to enter the industry.”
The foundation’s mission extends beyond teaching; it aims to inspire and support grassroots music projects and individuals who are currently undervalued and underserved.
Ed’s commitment is clear: “Music is such a key part of our society. The more I travel and visit schools, the more I see passion and inspiring people who need support. I hope this foundation is a start to giving them the help they need to keep going and show them they are hugely important to us.”
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