£1 million fund for young musicians announced by Welsh government

The Welsh government have announced that they will be contributing to a music fund designed to encourage youngsters to become musicians.

The cabinet secretary of Education, Kirsty Williams, has approved the creation of a National Endowment for Music fund which aims to boost the music ability of young pupils.

It is a joint initiative with the cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure, Ken Skates AM.

The £1 million will be given to Arts Council Wales to help set up the scheme and attract further contributions.

The Endowment is to be established in the coming year and the Arts Council of Wales has been given the task of driving forward the project in this initial phase.

The fund will be operated by a not-or-profit charitable company and will focus on creating new opportunities for young people with musical talents.

Support is expected to be available from 2020, depending on contributions to the fund.

Chair Phil George, commented: “It’s more important than ever that we provide opportunities for young people to enrich their lives through artistic expression.

“This new fund is an invitation to private and corporate donors to join the Welsh Government in nurturing young musical talents and helping them delight and amaze us all."