Ed Sheeran is a key figure in the development of the UK’s £12.5 million Music In Libraries initiative
Ed Sheeran is instrumental in a £12.5 million initiative that provides free music education, mentoring, and recording facilities to libraries across England.
Ed Sheeran was present at the ‘Songwriter’ press conference during the 68th Film Festival Berlin, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 23, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has inspired a new £12.5 million UK government initiative aimed at transforming public libraries across England into vibrant music hubs. This initiative will offer young people free access to music education, recording facilities, mentorship, and opportunities for live performances.
The program, titled Music in Libraries, was unveiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Over 150 library authorities in England can apply for funding via the government’s Dormant Assets Scheme, which utilizes unclaimed funds from financial products to support initiatives that serve the public good. The initiative is being collaboratively designed by the Ed Sheeran Foundation in partnership with teachers, youth organizations, and music industry experts.
Successful libraries will establish dedicated music spaces equipped with recording booths, mixing desks, and other production equipment. They will also host workshops, mentoring sessions, and live performances for aspiring musicians.
The government announced that the program originated from a visit in 2024 by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Sheeran to Brighten The Corners, a not-for-profit live music and youth arts organization located in Ipswich. It also takes inspiration from Scotland’s We Make Music model, which utilizes libraries to enhance access to music-making within local communities.
In announcing the broader initiative to enhance grassroots music, Nandy emphasized the necessity for increased access to creative opportunities for young individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds.
“As the song expresses, ‘Every generation elevates a hero to the pop charts.’ However, pop is becoming more refined, and this needs to change.
“Talent exists in abundance, yet opportunity remains scarce.” After ten years of senseless destruction that robbed numerous classrooms and communities of culture and creativity, we are reinstating music as a central element of education, investing in creative careers, and supporting grassroots music initiatives nationwide.
“Music is for everyone, not just a select few.”
Dr. Renuka Fernando, chief executive of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, expressed her support for the initiative, highlighting it as a significant advancement for music education beyond conventional classrooms.
“By broadening access to music outside of the classroom, our library network can help guarantee that children and young people from various communities throughout England have the chance to connect with music, no matter their location,” she stated.
The Music in Libraries program aligns with Sheeran’s ongoing advocacy for increased funding in music education. In 2025, he collaborated with other prominent artists to call on the UK government to take measures to safeguard music education, while his foundation has persistently backed music initiatives in schools, libraries, and youth centers.
The libraries’ scheme is an integral component of a wider government initiative for the music sector, which also allocates an extra £15 million for the Music Growth Package to assist emerging artists. This initiative includes efforts to simplify licensing regulations for music events and enhance long-term stability for festivals and grassroots venues.
