UK Music marks 11 years of Music Academic Partnership
The national music body UK Music has marked 11 years of its Music Academic Partnership (MAP), the network connecting education providers with the UK music industry.
Launched in 2015, MAP was established to create stronger links between educators and the professional music sector, supporting students preparing for careers across both the creative and business sides of the industry.
The partnership began with higher education institutions, alongside honorary members The BRIT School and LIPA, and has since expanded to include further education colleges, awarding bodies, a charity and a provider of music lessons for primary-aged children.
Activity across the network includes the MAP Tour and industry guest lectures for students, opportunities for teaching staff to engage with the sector, and collaboration with UK Music members on education, skills and policy issues. MAP members have also contributed to UK Music's work around proposed changes to Level 3 qualifications.
UK Music also runs the annual Outstanding MAP Graduate Awards, known as the OMGs. The 2026 awards will be presented in partnership with Un-Convention in Manchester, following three years in which the awards were held with Sound City in Liverpool.
Research and innovation have become another part of the network's work. UK Music highlighted the MusicFutures project in Liverpool, where it supported MAP member the University of Liverpool, leading a consortium, in applying for Arts and Humanities Research Council funding for action research designed to strengthen the city's music sector.