Inspire Youth Arts

What Inspire Youth Arts does

Inspire Youth Arts is the youth-focused arts programme of Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries, a publicly funded cultural and educational services provider established in 2016 and operating across Nottinghamshire, England. The legal entity, "Culture, Learning and Libraries (Midlands), trading as Inspire," delivers services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council and serves children and young people aged 2-25 through creative programming in music, dance, digital arts, and performance. Delivery is anchored to a regional network of 14+ Inspire library venues across Nottinghamshire's districts (Bassetlaw, Ashfield, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood), supplemented by community centres, partner schools, and young people's venues such as the Eastwood Young People's Centre.

The product surface spans structured programmes including Inspire Youth Arts Events (featuring Proto-Type digital art groups, music and dance summer schools, and the Summer Sounds DJ series), the Able Orchestra for disabled and non-disabled young musicians, the I Am A Creator cultural programme (with branches I Am A Writer and I Am A Storyteller), Little Creatives workshops for under-5s, The Lullaby Bank for parents and babies, and Adventures in Music for ages 2-5. Inspire Youth Arts sits inside a broader platform that also operates Inspire College (vocational training for ages 16-24), Adult Learning, the Nottinghamshire Music Hub, the Nottinghamshire Libraries Network, and Nottinghamshire Archives. Technology adoption is limited and undisclosed: there are no proprietary applications, APIs, or AI capabilities in the disclosed material. Marketing occurs via the inspireculture.org.uk website, email newsletters, local social media, school partnerships, and Eventbrite ticketing.

Revenue mechanics follow a public-sector grant model rather than commercial pricing. Inspire is funded principally by Nottinghamshire County Council and Arts Council England through National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status held continuously since 2016, with additional support from the Department for Education (Music Hub programme), the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the National Lottery, and the National Archives. Youth arts programmes are largely free or low-cost to ensure accessibility, with nominal fees on some summer schools and ticketed events. The organisation is governed by a board, employs 501-1,000 people across all Inspire divisions, and is registered as a UK GDPR data controller with the Information Commissioner's Office (registration ZA125839).

Name

Inspire Youth Arts

Legal name

Culture, Learning and Libraries (Midlands), trading as Inspire

Website

https://inspireculture.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Inspire Youth Arts is a publicly funded youth arts programme operated by Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries across Nottinghamshire, England, providing music, dance, digital arts, and creative performance opportunities for children and young people aged 2-25 through a regional library and community venue network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD), Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH)

Keywords

• Youth arts programs
• Community music education
• Inclusive performing arts
• Digital arts workshops
• Cultural education services

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Inspire Youth Arts operates as a program under Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries, funded primarily through Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status and Nottinghamshire County Council partnerships.
2. Program Fees: Some youth arts activities may have nominal fees; many programs are free or low-cost to ensure accessibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Inspire Youth Arts provides inclusive music, dance, and digital arts programming for children and young people aged 2-25 across Nottinghamshire. Offerings include the Proto-Type digital art groups, music and dance summer schools, the Summer Sounds DJ Series, the Able Orchestra inclusive ensemble, the I Am A Creator cultural programme, and early-years sessions such as Adventures in Music and Little Creatives. Programs are delivered through the Inspire library network, schools, and community venues, and are largely free or low-cost to ensure accessibility.

Product overview

Inspire - Culture, Learning & Libraries is a comprehensive cultural organization serving Nottinghamshire since 2016. The organization operates under a platform-plus-services architecture comprising: Inspire Youth Arts (youth arts programming including music, dance, digital arts, and performance workshops), I Am A Creator cultural programme, Able Orchestra, Inspire College (16-24 further education), Adult Learning services, a Libraries Network, Nottinghamshire Archives, and Nottinghamshire Music Hub. Inspire Youth Arts specifically delivers creative opportunities for young people through Inspire Youth Arts Events, Summer Sounds DJ Series, and partnerships with programs like Able Orchestra. The organization also provides community health and wellbeing programs including Lullaby Bank (parent-baby music sessions), Adventures in Music (early years music), and Little Creatives (under 5s arts workshops). Inspire is funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation and delivers services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inspire Youth Arts: Arts program for children and young people under Inspire's Arts & Culture division
• Inspire College
• Inspire Learning
• Nottinghamshire Music Hub

Products and services

• Inspire Youth Arts Youth arts program providing creative opportunities for children and young people including music, dance, digital arts, and performance workshops across Nottinghamshire.
• Inspire Youth Arts Events Regular events and workshops for young people including Proto-Type digital art groups, music summer schools, dance summer schools, DJ series, and creative workshops.
• I Am A Creator A cultural programme with branches including I Am A Writer and I Am A Storyteller, working with libraries across Nottinghamshire and targeted groups in Bassetlaw, Ashfield, Mansfield, and Newark & Sherwood.
• Able Orchestra (AO) Inclusive music project featuring disabled and non-disabled young musicians from Nottinghamshire alongside professional orchestral players. The orchestra has performed at prestigious venues including BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall.
• Summer Sounds: DJ Series Youth arts summer event series featuring DJ workshops and performances for young people, held at West Bridgford Young Peoples Centre.
• Lullaby Bank Music sessions for babies and expectant mothers including singing lullabies from around the globe, baby massage, and basic signing. Delivered by Inspire Music teachers in partnership with Music For Everyone.
• Adventures in Music Magical musical journey program for children aged 2-5 and their families using rhythm, music, and movement to develop language skills, spark imagination, and build confidence. Free sessions delivered at libraries.
• Little Creatives Monthly arts workshops for under 5s designed to help children explore materials and participate in creative activities, developed for children aged 2-5 and their families.
• Healthier Happier Connected Creative Programme featuring informal music concerts, hands-on creative workshops, and health activities to boost strength, balance and memory. Supported by National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Out of the Ark MusicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for nativity productions and Sparkyard song subscription service for primary schools, providing music education resources.
• Music For EveryoneminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership delivering The Lullaby Bank program - music sessions for new mothers and babies aged 0-9 months.
• Mansfield Building SocietyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of dementia-friendly film screenings at Mansfield Central Library.
• Nottinghamshire Music HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Music education partnership managed by Inspire, bringing music programs to young people across Nottinghamshire schools.
• National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Three-year partnership between Inspire, NYCGB, Nottinghamshire Music Hub, and Nottingham Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall to improve musical attainment and experiences for young students.
• Arts Council EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Arts Council England provides core funding through National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status, supporting Inspire's arts and cultural programming including youth arts initiatives. Inspire has held NPO status since 2016.
• Nottinghamshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Primary local authority partner commissioning library, learning, and cultural services. Inspire delivers culture, learning and libraries services on behalf of the council.
• Jazz StepsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Longstanding partnership bringing live jazz performances to library audiences across Nottinghamshire. Jazz Steps Live at the Libraries celebrates 15 years of collaboration in 2026.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Roundhouse: London-based charity running creative arts programs (music, performance, digital) for 11–25 year olds. Comparable peer for the music/dance/digital-arts mix, free access for young people, and reliance on mixed public + trust + corporate funding.
• BRIT School: Free performing and creative arts school for 14–19 year olds in Croydon, publicly funded with industry partnerships. Comparable on free arts schooling for young people, inclusion focus, and multi-disciplinary (music, dance, digital) curriculum design.
• Snape Maltings / Aldeburgh Young Musicians: Suffolk-based music organization running intensive progression programmes for young instrumentalists. Comparable on year-round structured music education delivery, Arts Council-aligned funding base, and progression-route design similar to Inspire's NYCGB partnership.
• National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB): National youth choral charity delivering training and performance opportunities for young singers across the UK. Directly comparable mission, age range, and Arts Council-aligned funding; Inspire Youth Arts is itself a delivery partner of NYCGB.
• Sistema Scotland (Big Noise): UK charity delivering free intensive music education to children in areas of multiple deprivation. Strongly comparable to Inspire Youth Arts on mission (inclusive youth music), free-to-access model, and reliance on public/grant funding across multiple regional sites.
• Wigmore Hall Learning: Concert hall education program delivering singing, instrumental and creative music-making for babies, children, and young people across London. Comparable on early-years through youth progression (parallel to Lullaby Bank, Adventures in Music, and youth ensembles) and free/low-cost public access model.
• In Harmony (Sistema England): Department for Education-backed music inclusion program delivering free ensemble-based music education in UK communities. Directly comparable to Inspire Youth Arts' Nottinghamshire Music Hub and Able Orchestra work on funding source, target audience, and orchestral/outcome focus.
• London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO Learning): Major UK orchestra delivering free education and participation programs for young people. Closely comparable to Able Orchestra's youth-orchestra model and Inspire's school-based delivery via Nottinghamshire Music Hub.

Broad incumbents

• Southbank Centre (Learning): Large national performing arts complex running wide-ranging education and young-people's programs across music, dance, and literature. Comparable on multi-disciplinary youth arts mandate and Arts Council alignment, but operates at much larger national scale and as a venue-led portfolio.
• Royal Albert Hall (Education): Major UK venue running national music and creative education programs for schools and young people, including the BBC Proms youth activities where Able Orchestra appeared. Comparable mission at greater scale; relevant as a touchstone for high-visibility youth performance pathways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/nottslibraries
• Facebookfacebook.com/nottslibraries
• Pinterestuk.pinterest.com/NottsLibraries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inspireculture

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inspire Youth Arts