All News and Features

Section
Content type
Campaigns
Region or Nation
Interests
Careers
Equality, diversity & inclusion

Search for News

View

Displaying 1 - 40 of 104 results

Sort by

A mobile phone is left resting on the background of a passport, a wodge of euros and a map

Funding Round Opens for Music Export Growth Scheme

Round 22 of funding for small to medium sized music companies looking to build the profile of their artists overseas will close on 4 December 2023. The Music Export Growth Scheme will also be running an explanatory webinar on 27 November.

Published: 15 November 2023

Woman sat at a desk in front of an open laptop smiling.

New Training and Funding Opportunities for Individuals and Creative Businesses in South West England

The MU’s Wales and South West England Regional Office share three new opportunities for those based in Bristol and the South West. There are two creative funds opening for applications and training available for a night-time sector wellbeing champion.

Published: 14 November 2023

A view of Edinburgh Old Town on a bright blue day

MU Concerned by Cuts to Creative Scotland Budget

The MU is concerned to learn that the Scottish Government has reinstated a £6.6m cut to the budget of Creative Scotland.

Published: 28 September 2023

School orchestra, with most instruments blurred in the background and a xylophone in focus in the foreground

Ofsted Music Subject Report: MU Response

Ofsted has published a new report into music education in schools in England, revealing serious inequalities in terms of access to instrumental tuition among other findings.

Published: 26 September 2023

ENO leafleting action outside the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 22 July by the MU and Equity with the ENO orchestra and chorus.

MU Responds to Update on Future of the English National Opera

Arts Council England have announced a grant of £24 million for the English National Opera for April 2024 to March 2026, and an additional three years for it to establish a new base outside the capital. 

Published: 27 July 2023

Pair of hands on a computer keyboard and a piano keyboard.

POWER UP Announces Participant List for Third Year of Programme

The POWER UP participant programme - co-founded by the PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter to elevate pioneering Black talent, whilst addressing anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector - has announced the successful participants for its third year running.

Published: 17 July 2023

MU Fights for English National Opera's Future

We are continuing to make the case for the English National Opera (ENO), writing to key stakeholders and emphasising the impact that hastily made plans and underfunding will have on the wider classical music industry.

Published: 10 July 2023

BBC Portland Place in the day time, with some people walking in and out of the building

BBC Write to MU General Secretary Confirming Progress on Performing Group Sustainable Future

The BBC have written to the MU with updates on how they plan to provide a sustainable future for their performing groups, and we remain in meaningful discussion with them following months of uncertainty for our members.

Published: 27 June 2023

A skyline view of Nottingham brick buildings in Nottingham's city centre

BBC Concert Orchestra Partners with Universities of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent

New partnership highlights the creative community input that orchestras can have across regions, improving the life and wellbeing of people in the city and supporting the local music education sector.

Published: 27 June 2023

New MU Event Series on Maximising Your Income as a Recording Musician

From copyright and contracts to royalties and rights, a new MU event tells you all you need to know about maximising your income as a recording musician.

Published: 26 June 2023

Band in recording studio booth, with technician in foreground by mixing desk.

Help Save Brixton Hill Studios From Closure by Writing to MP

MU members are encouraged to write to Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy with their concerns using a template letter, as it faces imminent closure due to extortionate rent increases and lack of negotiation.

Published: 22 June 2023

The outside roof detail of the London Coliseum, home of The English National Opera.

Motion To Save The English National Opera Passed at London Assembly

The motion was passed on Thursday 8 June and called for Arts Council England to end its requirement for the English National Opera to establish a primary base out of London.

Published: 05 June 2023

Outside of the London Coliseum, current home of the ENO.

MU and Entertainment Unions Call on Arts Council England to Safeguard ENO's Future

The MU, Equity and Bectu have called upon Arts Council England to produce a realistic strategy for the English National Opera which remains under threat.

Published: 04 May 2023

Northern Ireland Parliament and Government building in Stormont, Belfast.

MU Writes to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Over Proposed Arts Council Funding Cuts

MU Acting Regional Organiser for Northern Ireland Sam Dunkley has written to the Secretary of State on behalf of the MU urging cuts to the Arts Council budget to be reversed.

Published: 27 April 2023

Sam Dunkley speaking into a microphone during his speech at the rally.

MU in Action at Northern Ireland Arts Funding Cut Rally

Acting Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland Sam Dunkley called on ministers to stop proposed arts cuts in Northern Ireland during his speech at this week’s Belfast rally.

Published: 26 April 2023

Close up of 'Fund the Arts' placard from one of the MU's previous Arts Council Funding marches.

MU Responds to Proposed Cuts to Arts Council of Northern Ireland Budget

Arts organisations in Northern Ireland have been told that their annual funding available from the Arts Council could be cut by 10%.

Published: 21 April 2023

Impact of Arts Council England Cuts on Young Workers Raised at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

MU delegate Tom Plater explores the impact of Government arts funding cuts on young people in this speech to TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2023.

Published: 18 April 2023

People at the ENO joint Unions demo from November 2022 holding signs reading Fund the Arts.

MU Welcomes Latest English National Opera Funding News

The Musicians’ Union welcomes opportunity for additional funding for English National Opera, but warns it still represents a significant real-terms cut.

Published: 12 April 2023

A hand reaches out to touch the power switch on a large amplifier, the switch is glowing red.

MU Marks Record Breaking Year of Royalties Payments in 2022

After distributing £1.37m to musicians in 2022, the MU’s Recording & Broadcasting department reflect on why this was a particularly high year, and advise members who are yet to receive their payments.

Published: 29 March 2023

Naomi Pohl and Jack Apperley holding the Singers petition outside of the BBC offices.

BBC Singers Petition Delivered to BBC Director General Tim Davie

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and conductor Jack Apperley have delivered a copy of the Save the BBC Singers petition to BBC Director General Tim Davie.

Published: 28 March 2023

Tall green glass building with the letters BBC spelt out on the front, Portland Place in London

BBC Announce BBC Singers Will Not be Closing on 30 September

Following intense discussions with the MU, a petition reaching over 120,000 signatures, and musicians and supporters rallying against the proposed job cuts, the announcement comes as very welcome news.

Published: 24 March 2023

Wooden cubes spelling the word petition.

Emergency Petition Calls on Scottish Government to Abandon Arts Cuts

Campaign for the Arts have today launched a public petition calling on the Scottish Government to abandon major cuts to Creative Scotland.

Published: 16 February 2023

MU Responds to Closure of Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Oldham Coliseum has proposed that it will permanently close on 31 March.

Published: 15 February 2023

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

With £2.5m in funding already committed for this year, the new agreement will see an increase in year-on-year funding allocated to PRS Foundations work to support new music and talent development.

Published: 18 January 2023

A large crowd marches in central London, some MU branded signs read Fund The Arts and Love ENO.

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

Musicians’ Union members took to the Coliseum for a leafleting session on Friday 6 January, talking to audience members about the impact of arts funding cuts on opera and ballet.

Published: 13 January 2023

Laptop on a tidy desk with a pot of pens in the background.

CULT Cymru Lists New Course for MU Members in Wales

CULT Cyrmu – the union learning project led by BECTU in partnership with Equity, the Musicians’ Union and the Writers’ Guild – have announced a new list of training opportunities for union members based in Wales.

Published: 11 January 2023

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

With parties, weddings and corporate events cancelled during Covid, work for function bands vanished overnight. Three years on, four leading acts reveal how they have been faring.

Published: 05 January 2023

Harp player is performing in a concert space with bright gold light

MU Concerned Over Cuts to the Arts in Scotland

The MU has reacted to last week’s Scottish Budget 2023-24, where announcements saw cuts to arts funding.

Published: 23 December 2022

The London Coliseum in Covent garden, statue details on the tower lit up by the sun under a bright blue sky.

MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location

ENO’s chief executive suddenly seems to have accepted that the company will be based outside London. The MU disagrees and is seeking urgent clarification.

Published: 16 December 2022

A guitar case lies in the street with a pool of coins on it, in the background is a mic stand, a guitar and an amp.

Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey

Members who are currently licensed under, or have been licensed under Westminster City Council’s busking and street entertainment policy are encouraged to take their survey, to help the council understand its key themes and issues.

Published: 01 December 2022

A music teacher holds up a tambourine, we can see the blurred figures of a class in the background.

Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

Long awaited details have been provided of the timeline for a bidding process for new hubs, with funding for the current hubs now safe until August 2024.

Published: 24 November 2022

Naomi Pohl speaking in a microphone in a crowd in front of DCMS building

Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl today joined members in a protest outside DCMS to demand an increase in arts funding.

Published: 22 November 2022

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has met with Arts Council England (ACE) as the union campaigns to reverse damaging funding cuts to English National Opera and others.

Published: 11 November 2022

Banner signs outside the London Coliseum Theatre advertising performances of the English National Opera (ENO)

MU in Urgent Talks Following Major Funding Cuts to English National Opera and Other Arts Organisations

The Musicians' Union (MU) has today heavily criticised the decision by Arts Council England (ACE) to make major cuts in public funding to English National Opera (ENO) and other arts organisations.

Published: 04 November 2022

Red lit photo of a woman singer on stage at a small venue, looking out to the crowd

Value of UK Music Industry Up To £4bn – But Still Down on Pre-Pandemic Levels

UK Music report This Is Music 2022 reveals the UK music industry’s contribution to the economy is going up, but there’s a long way to go to recovery.

Published: 23 September 2022

A music stand is empty against a brightly lit background

Major UK Broadcasters Back Calls for an ISA to Tackle Bullying and Harassment

ITV, Sky, BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5 become the first UK broadcasters to back the next stage of Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for an Independent Standards Authority to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment.

Published: 22 June 2022

A band plays on a stage silhouetted against the a bright blue background.

Open Letter Questioning Funding Cut to PRS Foundation Published

Following PRS for Music’s decision to cut funding for the PRS Foundation from 2024, a petition has been launched. Now an open letter from 50 grassroots music organisations has been published.

Published: 06 June 2022

BBC Publishes Report Emphasising Importance of the BBC’s Orchestras

The BBC’s Classical Music Review emphasises the importance of the BBC's orchestras and its crucial role in the wider classical music ecology, as well as introducing a new Head of Orchestras and Choirs position.

Published: 24 May 2022

Close up of a corner of Sheffield City Hall, a big white stone building.

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Parents in Performing Arts (PiPA) is offering a series of professional development placements and opportunities at renowned performing arts organisations for marginalised parents or carers based in Yorkshire.

Published: 25 April 2022

A snapshot from the film Mud featuring Matthew McConaughey

Beware the Buyout

Companies commissioning media composers are now more likely to ask for a buyout – but is that always the best option for music writers or musicians?

Published: 11 April 2022

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches