WORCESTERSHIRE Youth Music (WYM) is to be renamed Severn Arts in recognition of the increasing scope of its service.
The name Severn Arts has been decided following a great deal of consultation and the organisation is now undertaking a process of rebranding.
Documentation and publicity is already in place for the new academic year but the name WYM will be initially retained to avoid any confusion.
In September last year, the Cabinet approved a decision that WYM would continue to work towards the transformation of the service into a social enterprise and as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.
Council chiefs say there was a growing need for WYM to diversify into wider arts and cultural provision for it to be able to operate in partnership with non-Worcestershire providers.
More importantly, the service had to be able to access funding streams which are not currently available and consequently further develop its support and provision for children and young people.
Coun Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member with responsibility for localism and communities, said: “We recognise and endorse the need for the service to undertake this development in order for WYM to increase its impact on the lives of the young people of the County.
“We are confident that WYM will go on to even greater success under the name ‘Severn Arts’.”
Trevor Jones, strategic music education manager, added: “Whilst the current name for the service is known and respected by schools and communities it does not fully accurately describe the diversification of the service as it develops the range and breadth of its music and arts offer.”
The website for the new service will be www.severnarts.org.uk.
