London Met academics are joining forces with leading London-based music charity Musiko Musika to help them strengthen the evidence base of their work, improving their effectiveness and impact, and generate new opportunities for funding and income generation. The partnership aims to support London-based organisations of all sizes through holistic organisational support that helps to promote equality and diversity.

Musiko Musika is an artist-led music education and cultural organisation, jointly directed by the musicians Mauricio Venegas-Astorga and Rachel Pantin and funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. Founded in 1998, Musiko Musika has created highly successful long-term relationships with schools and communities throughout the UK and abroad. Since 2015 they have had a base for their work at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Rachel Pantin, said: “This new partnership offers us great opportunities to work with London Metropolitan on several fronts. We are really looking forward to exploring the potential of this unique collaboration bringing together academic expertise and resources with the cultural and educational depth of our work and approach to community engagement.”

The wide-ranging agreement will see the University provide our social, cultural and intellectual expertise and assets and our community links to support the work of Musiko Musika by:

  • Supporting Musiko Musika’s development and the delivery of specific projects through access to London Met facilities;
  • Collaborating on research into the impact and effectiveness of Musiko Musika’s Sing & Learn programme and future programmes;
  • Undertaking joint publishing projects, public presentations and seminars with the purpose of sharing the research, knowledge and expertise we have developed together;
  • Planning and presenting events at London Met for Musiko Musika’s Voces Festival and other programme areas that will engage London Met students and staff to the community;
  • Developing cultural and educational digital content for Musiko Musika’s WMA and Sing & Learn apps.
  • Offering opportunities for London Met students to observe sessions and/ or undertake work placements with Musiko Musika
  • Collaborating on research with Musiko Musika to strengthen the evidence base for their work, improve its effectiveness and impact, and generate new opportunities for funding and income generation

London Met academic Dr Mabel Encinas is already conducting research with Musiko Musika on the evaluation of the impact of Musiko Musika’s Sing & Learn programme. A joint presentation on the initial research activity was made on Tuesday 28 February at the Lyric Hammersmith.