UK Music launches academic partnership

UK Music has joined with UK-wide academic institutions to launch MAP, a music academic partnership.

MAP is a collaboration between a group of educational institutions and the membership of UK Music intended to prepare individuals who want to build careers out of their passion for music.

In the drive for economic growth, the UK Government asked British industry to design and develop its own growth-focused skills programmes. UK Music first answered by launching the CBI-backed Skills Academy in 2013 and now the Music Academic Partnership (MAP).

At launch, MAP has announced:

• A partnership with BBC Introducing, where students take on a real assignment, working with the BBC to film and record a broadcast-quality package of the local artists whose work has been selected to feature on the BBC Introducing slots.
• A music tech competition with London venue KOKO, where a MAP student will be awarded up to £20,000 to develop a music and technology business idea with access to further investment to help launch it .
• A bid for an ambitious research project in collaboration with Coventry University, Taking The Long View.  This project proposes a longitudinal study of a large cohort of young people aged 12 to 22 who have a passion and talent for music and would follow them over the next decade, documenting their journey through their formative years and into their working lives.

Jo Dipple, CEO of UK Music said: “The music industry and the skills needed today are far more technical than they were 10 years ago. Entry level opportunities are limited, the vast number of businesses are SMEs and the market is fierce. MAP is designed to maximise the employability of the students enrolled in those institutions.

“MAP aims to future-proof the music industry by ensuring new entrants have the right mix of experience and skills most needed. Partnerships and collaboration, like those with the BBC and with KOKO are just some of the benefits that institutions and students will enjoy, as well as engagement with policy makers, UK Music members, and the wider industry. This is a very exciting partnership and initiative for UK Music.”

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “2015 is a hugely exciting time for British music. Last year saw British artists dominate the international album charts and one in every eight albums sold now worldwide is by a UK artist.

“Partnerships like this fantastic initiative are vital in inspiring musicians and future industry executives. It will help equip them with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to succeed in today’s highly competitive global music industry. British music has an incredibly proud history and the Music Academic Partnership is a great step towards ensuring its continued long-term growth.”

Olly Bengough, owner of KOKO said: “I’m always looking at great businesses within music and technology. The chances are an idea that could innovate and game change the digital landscape is going to come from the next generation of bright young tech entrepreneurs, which is why KOKO has collaborated with UK Music and MAP to launch the Tech Prize, sponsored by KOKO.

“I’m very excited to announce this competition, and can’t wait to see what talent we discover.”

Source:  UK Music