NYJO Arts Council NPO Announcement

November 4, 2022

NYJO remains an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation in 2023-26

 

We are delighted with today’s news from the Arts Council England that NYJO will remain a National Portfolio Organisation for the next three years, from 2023 to 2026. Arts Council England’s core funding is essential to all that we do. This year’s application process provoked wide discussion of our responsibilities to our beneficiaries and the sector, encouraging us to consider new ways of working, broadening access nationally as well as deepening engagement within the communities in which we already work. We are excited to be able to move forward with the strategic implementation of our plans and grateful to the Arts Council for their support of our work.

 

The numbers:

  • Arts Council England have today announced the 990 arts organisations that will make up their National Portfolio for 2023-26.
  • NYJO are delighted to have retained our funding share, securing £127,300 per year for the next three years.
  • Arts Council England’s level of investment in NYJO has been maintained from previous years.
  • The funding represents 15% of anticipated annual turnover.

 

This funding investment is significant to NYJO, ensuring that we can continue to plan strategically, increasing our reach and impact on beneficiaries nationwide. It enables us to invest in both our Learning and Participation work and the professional development of emerging professional musicians. It will enable us to expand regional Learning partnerships, work more collaboratively with educators and jazz musicians from across the UK, expand performing work to include more small ensembles and young artist-led engagements, and increase the number of guest artists with whom we collaborate. It will ensure that NYJO continues to be a source of inspiration and opportunity for aspiring young jazz musicians.

 

NYJO CEO Susie York Skinner commented:

 

We are naturally delighted with today’s news from Arts Council England that NYJO will remain a National Portfolio Organisation for the next three years, from 2023 to 2026. This core funding is essential to all that we do. It enables us to plan with confidence and certainty, gives us credibility with partners and other funders, and facilitates engagement with a greater number and wider demographic of beneficiaries over the coming years.

This year’s application process provoked wide discussion of our responsibilities to the sector, to young people, to promoters, partners and audiences. It demanded that we consider new ways of working and encouraged us to broaden access nationally as well as deepening engagement within the communities in which we already work. We welcome this challenge and the stimulation that it brought to conversations across the sector. We are excited to start to work now on delivering these plans and are grateful to the Arts Council for their support of our work.

Lucy-Anne (EP quote)

“Since joining NYJO, I’m so much more confident as a performer. Especially in terms of being able to entertain and keep the crowd engaged with you. It’s really nice to be able to feel that difference.” 

Lucy-Anne, NYJO Emerging Professional (Vocals)

Georgia (EP quote)

“It’s hard to just learn this music in the practice room but being immersed in the music at NYJO is a great environment to really push my playing. ” 

Georgia Ayew, NYJO Emerging Professional (Drums)

Sam Eastmond (MD quote)

"Giving them space to create whatever they wanted, without setting parameters of idiom or style helped them to conceptualise how they could bring these new concepts into their work without scaring them off, or mystifying the process."

Sam Eastmond, NYJO Educator

Jazzwise quote

"NYJO has never been conformist, never hewing to one particular line, never known for fawning replications and very deliberately these days a vehicle for new possibilities."

Jazzwise Magazine

Lydia (EP quote)

"The past year has been an absolutely incredible experience, pushing me way out of my comfort zone into playing with some of the greatest young jazz players of my generation and getting to call them my colleagues and friends has been beyond inspiring, and also an obscene amount of fun!"

Lydia Cochrane, NYJO Emerging Professional (Saxophone)

Anna (Learning national quote)

"[The NYJO residential in Cumbria] helped me to make friends with other young musicians. I enjoy playing a lot more and I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. I feel more confident now. I have learnt different ways of coming up with solid melodies and also a little bit on harmonies. I think it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had."

Anna, NYJO Learning Widening Access participant

Briony (Learning U18s quote)

"I’ve felt very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing musicians, and I think that the environment at NYJO – which has fostered creativity and improvisation – has allowed my confidence and musical ideas to grow."

Briony, NYJO Under 18s

Oscar (Learning U18s quote)

"I think I’ve progressed a lot in my piano-playing. NYJO has helped me to flourish and really enjoy it. I’ve really enjoyed being engrossed in a high level of playing and learning things in a hands-on-way. I also like the diversity of perspectives and abilities of all the players and teachers which enables me to try things I might not normally."

Oscar, NYJO Under 18s

Jennie (Learning U18s quote)

"NYJO has got me listening to more jazz and learning more changes. It has also helped with working as a band. I’ve really enjoyed the free jazz, learning by ear, the people, and the atmosphere."

Jennie, NYJO Under 18s

Leah-Anais (Learning U18s quote)

"I love the people at NYJO. Everyone here is so encouraging and lovely and it makes the experience worthwhile. Though I have fun I’m still learning on the way which makes me feel productive too."

Leah-Anais, NYJO Under 18s

Support us

Support the future of jazz

Can you help us nurture a nation of young jazz musicians?

Join our passionate community of Friends, grant-making organisations or corporate sponsors at a level that suits you and share your love of jazz with the next generation.