Organisation Funding
Learning from the Octagon Music Hub Grant Programme 2026–27
Every year Octagon Music Hub (OMH) invests in organisations that help children and young people across Dorset and Somerset access high-quality music education but the Grant Programme is about more than distributing funding. The 2026–27 round marks a shift towards a more transparent, evidence-informed and collaborative approach to investment, shaped by our regional Needs Analysis and aligned with the Government’s Turn It Up national plan.
Interest in this year’s programme reflected both the strength of the sector and growing demand: the Hub received 23 applications requesting around £1.2 million, against a delivery budget of roughly £900,000. Moderators consistently noted the high quality of applications and the breadth of opportunities proposed. The real challenge wasn’t identifying good projects, but deciding which combination of activity would have the greatest impact for children and young people while responding to the Needs Analysis priorities.
Investing in an ecosystem, not a set of projects
Investment supports a diverse partnership of music services, schools, charities, community organisations, orchestras and specialist providers. Together, they create the progression pathways that take children and young people from a first musical experience through to advanced opportunity, leadership and creative careers. Rather than delivering every activity itself, the Hub works as a strategic commissioner bringing organisations together so that every child has access to high-quality musical opportunities, regardless of where they live.
What the moderation process told us
Successful applications consistently demonstrated clear progression routes rather than one-off experiences, direct and measurable benefits for children and young people, strong partnership working, inclusive practice, good value for money, and a genuine commitment to rural and geographic cold spots.
Moderators also identified where future rounds could be strengthened better locality information, clearer outcome measures, greater financial transparency, and stronger evidence of impact and flagged priorities that go beyond individual grants: an OMH Youth Voice Board, Hub-wide bursary schemes, mapping of progression and post-16 routes, more locality-based commissioning, and a more consistent minimum music offer across both counties. These findings will directly shape future grant programmes.
A commitment to transparency
This year’s programme introduced clearer grant guidance and assessment criteria, wider engagement with organisations across both counties, moderation involving Strategic Advisory Board members and Hub officers, documented funding recommendations, and identification of learning for future rounds together, a real step towards a commissioning model that’s open, collaborative and evidence-led.
The OMH Grant Programme 2026–27 is now closed for applications. Future funding opportunities will be published on this page as they become available but organisations don’t need to wait for a live round to talk to us. We’re always keen to hear ideas and discuss partnerships before an application is submitted; book time with the team using the link below.