A new national centre tasked with revitalising arts and music education in England will draw on Birmingham’s world-leading creative and educational expertise, with Birmingham City University and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire playing a role in its delivery.

The National Centre for Arts Education will seek to ensure that where a child lives or what their family can afford does not determine whether they get the chance to discover and develop their creative potential.

BCU is part of the consortium appointed by the Department for Education to establish and operate the Centre, alongside consortium lead Etio and the Chartered College of Teaching.

Dr Adam Whittaker, Associate Professor of Music and Head of Pedagogy at RBC, and Dr Anthony Anderson, Associate Professor of Music Education in BCU's Department of Education, will lead the University's contribution to the national initiative.

Together, they bring expertise spanning music education, pedagogy and educational research to help strengthen arts education provision for children and young people across England.

For RBC Principal Stephen Maddock OBE, the initiative is an opportunity to take the lessons of specialist arts education in Birmingham to children and young people across England.

The Centre will work across art and design, dance, drama and music, supporting teachers, schools and cultural organisations. It will oversee the national music hubs network from September 2027.

For further information about the Centre, click here.