The nationwide scheme was directly inspired by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran following a meeting last year with Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy at an arts charity in Ipswich. After witnessing the success of Scotland’s “We Make Music Instrument Libraries” model, Sheeran recognized the massive potential of utilizing existing public library infrastructure to democratize music education. Since then, his foundation has worked closely behind the scenes with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to bring the ambitious vision to fruition.
The secured funding allows all 152 library authorities across England to apply for grants. Over the coming months, the Ed Sheeran Foundation and its partners will help co-design the specific requirements for these spaces. Participating libraries will eventually host live performances, tutoring sessions, and interactive workshops, while housing state-of-the-art recording booths, mixing desks, and a diverse array of musical instruments.
The announcement represents a significant expansion for the charity, which historically focused its efforts primarily on music education within state schools. Last year, Sheeran successfully helped secure the first major update to England’s national school music curriculum in over a decade after penning an open letter to the Prime Minister.
By expanding its mission to out-of-school programmes, the foundation aims to reach the broader community. According to foundation data, more than 50% of children aged 10-12 visited a public library in the last year, making the network a vital hub for equal opportunity. The charity will continue collaborating with teachers, youth clubs, and music industry leaders to maximize the long-term creative impact of the spaces.
