Music Network has launched a report evaluating its Music Education Partnerships model.

The publication, Report of the Evaluation of the Music Education Partnerships in County Donegal and City of Dublin. was co-commissioned by Music Network and the Arts Council, jointly funded by the Arts Council, City of Dublin VEC and Donegal Music Education Partnership, and was carried out by independent consultants Karan Thompson Consulting Ltd (KTCL).

The aim of the report is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Music Education Partnership (MEP) model originally outlined in Music Network's 2003 National System of Local Music Education Services feasibility study report. The model was subsequently tested in two locations: City of Dublin and County Donegal, with the local VECs as lead partners and with funding provided by the Department of Education and Science.

The independent consultants deemed the two exemplar MEPs to be a success, stating in their conclusion that 'KTCL believes that the Music Education Partnership model has been piloted successfully, and is now in a period of onward growth and development both in the City of Dublin and County Donegal,' going on to state 'this partnership model provides a workable and replicable framework for development of music education services and for other art forms on a wider scale throughout Ireland'.

Key recommendations of the report include development of a framework for ongoing funding for MEP rollout at a national level with key government departments and relevant agencies; support for the establishment of the position of Music Development Manager in each county/city to co-ordinate the work of emerging MEPs; and development of initiatives with Education Centres towards up-skilling class teachers to become drivers of the MEP within the classroom, and to support an integrated in-school and out-of-school approach to providing music education.

The Department of Education and Science has stated that it will continue to support the two extant MEPs in Donegal and Dublin to their current level, but advised due to current cutbacks within the Department there will be no additional spend forthcoming to further the development of additional MEPs at the present time. Music Network will continue its efforts to secure short to medium-term funding for a more extensive rollout of the MEP model across the country.

Further information: Aoife Barror, Acting PR and Marketing Manager, Music Network. Email pr@musicnetwork.ie, tel: 01-671 9429.
The full report may be downloaded from Music Network.

Posted: 27 April 2009