skip to main content

Ticket Bank Increases Access to Culture During a Difficult Festive Period

The MU has praised the London Ticket Bank scheme for providing unsold theatre tickets to those who cannot afford access to culture.

Published: 23 December 2022 | 12:08 PM
Lots of different coloured tickets in a big pile, each one reading
“The Ticket Bank is a wonderful way for the arts to be available to everyone in society.” Photo credit: Shutterstock

The scheme has been likened to ‘the cultural equivalent of a food bank’ and will make around 1000 tickets available each week for those who cannot afford to pay for theatre, comedy, music and dance.

Some of the capital’s leading cultural institutions, including the Barbican, the National Theatre and the Roundhouse, have signed up for the initiative, with more expected to join in January.

London Regional Organiser Jamie Pullman commented on the scheme:

“The Ticket Bank is a wonderful way for the arts to be available to everyone in society. Food fills your stomach, the arts fill your soul, and both are important for us as humans.

“It’s a damning indictment of the state of our country when so many people can no longer afford either food or fun, but while the generosity of these institutions is helping make lives better, I look forward to the day when they are no longer necessary.”

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Daniel stood against a tree at sunset, holding a flute, with a forest and lake in the background.

How I Use AI as a Professional Musician — and Why I’m Still Cautious

In this honest and informative blog, composer, post-production specialist, tutor, flautist, and MU member Daniel Finch explores how musicians are using AI in their work—sharing insights from his own research and outlining the potential benefits, risks, and ethical challenges.

Published: 27 May 2025

Read more about How I Use AI as a Professional Musician — and Why I’m Still Cautious
Birdseye view of feet staring down at an EU flag on the ground, representing a border.

EU-UK Summit: Early Outcomes and What it Means for MU Members

The MU welcomes early signs of progress on cultural mobility at the first EU-UK Summit, including youth mobility and faster border access, but calls for further action to ensure musicians are properly supported in post-Brexit negotiations.

Published: 21 May 2025

Read more about EU-UK Summit: Early Outcomes and What it Means for MU Members