Progression and Opportunities
Informed by the young people we work with, the YMP Progression Programme supports young people aged 16–25 to take the next steps in music and creative careers.
There’s no single pathway through music. Some young people want to release and perform their own work, others are interested in what happens behind the scenes, and many want to stay connected to music as part of their lives.
Many of the young people we work with face barriers to accessing creative careers. Through our work in communities, we create the foundations for them to move into YMP and on into progression opportunities over time.
We support all of these ambitions: from developing as artists, to building skills for creative careers, to continuing music-making as part of a community.
Young people often move between these pathways over time, combining different opportunities as their confidence, knowledge and interests grow.
All progression opportunities are connected to the wider YMP community, building on the relationships and confidence developed through earlier sessions.
Artist Development
Support for young people developing their own music, with mentoring, bursaries, workshops and opportunities to record, release and perform their work, alongside connections to industry networks.
WMC is a proud member of the PRS Talent Development Network, which enables us to access regional and national opportunities.
Careers & Leadership
Support for young people interested in building skills and experience across the creative industries — with opportunities to take on leadership roles, support delivery and develop pathways into employment through programmes like Peer Leaders and Future Music Leaders.
Community & Continuation
Support for young people to stay connected to music-making beyond YMP — with space to create, collaborate and be part of an ongoing peer-led community through YMP Collective.
Want to find out more?
Get in touch to find out more about progression opportunities and how to get involved.
We are grateful to Youth Music, Arts Council England and
PRS Foundation for supporting this work.
