Before Ed Sheeran became a household name and created five studio albums, countless EPs, and collaborations with other artists, he was learning to play the cello and piano as a child. Now, after years of writing and performing music, he is dedicated to helping young people access music education through his newly launched Ed Sheeran Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to increase access and funding for children to learn instruments, experience studio time, and gain training in all areas of the music industry.
On Thursday, Jan. 9, Sheeran announced the foundation on social media, sharing footage from his childhood where music was a powerful outlet for both creativity and emotional well-being. “It was incredible for my mental health as a kid, feeling a sense of purpose and achievement, even just learning piano or cello at a young age, long before songwriting,” he said. “I want kids to have the opportunity to learn instruments, explore production and songwriting, perform, and benefit from apprenticeship schemes that will teach them essential skills to enter the industry.”
Inspired by his own experience and driven by the realization that music education is increasingly being sidelined in schools, Sheeran founded the organization. The foundation’s website highlights a concerning 56 percent drop in the recruitment of music teachers since 2010 and a 36 percent reduction in funding for music hubs since 2012 in the UK.
“The more I travel around, visiting schools and grassroots projects, the more I see there’s a passion and dedication among inspiring people who are being undervalued and underserved,” Sheeran said. “I hope this foundation can be the start of providing the support they need to continue their work and show them they are vital to us.”
The Ed Sheeran Foundation’s mission statement emphasizes “breaking barriers together,” with a focus on improving access to equipment, instruments, and studios. It also highlights music’s role in mental health, stating that “music boosts mental health, builds confidence, and brings communities together.” The foundation is dedicated to “unlocking the power of music” through “better funding, inclusive teaching, and diverse opportunities.”
Sheeran also wants the foundation to expand beyond music performance itself. He pointed out the vast team that supports him on tour, including labels, management, promoters, and other industry professionals who contribute to sharing music on a global scale.
“Music is such a key part of our society,” Sheeran explained. “Even when I was in school, it was considered a ‘doss subject’ and not taken seriously. There’s this misconception that it’s ‘not a real job,’ but the music industry creates 216,000 jobs across many different fields, contributing £7.6 billion annually to the UK economy. Not to mention the joy our art brings to people worldwide. It’s something we should be proud of and champion in the UK, not brush aside as if we’re just bankers (no offense to bankers, of course).”
The foundation’s website notes that 18 schools and youth programs, reaching over 12,000 young people, have already benefitted from the Ed Sheeran Foundation.
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