Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. Our vision, set out in our strategy Let’s Create, is that by 2030, we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish, and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. 

Between 2023 and 2026 we will have invested over £467 million of public money from Government, alongside an estimated £250 million each year from The National Lottery, to help ensure that people in every part of the country have access to culture and creativity in the places where they live. Until Autumn 2025, the National Lottery is celebrating its 30th anniversary of supporting good causes in the United Kingdom: since the first draw was held in 1994, it has raised £49 billion and awarded more than 690,000 individual grants.

Trxth (he/him) & RHIA (she/her) - Stay Alive

Bollo Studios, London

Trxth & RHIA are rising South London artists who first connected through Bollo Studios, collaborating on music that blends personal storytelling with contemporary R&B, soul and rap. RHIA combines influences from R&B, hip-hop and jazz to create a distinctive sound, while Youth Music NextGen Fund recipient Trxth brings honest, reflective lyricism rooted in lived experience. Their track “Stay Alive” pairs an uplifting, memorable hook with a powerful message of resilience, connection and hope.

RONN (he/him) & Zuko Rosemeid (he/him) - BONG RIP

Youth Music NextGen Fund, London

Ronn & Zuko Rosemeid are London-based artists bringing together Telugu rap and South London drill to create music that crosses cultures, languages and borders. Hyderabad-born rapper, songwriter and producer Ronn is a trailblazer for Telugu Hip Hop, while Zuko Rosemeid brings a fresh South London perspective. Their track “BONG RIP” blends Telugu slang, UK rap influences and themes of friendship, identity and connection, showing how music can build bridges between communities and experiences.

TRACKS COLLECTIVE - Spotlight

Unleashing Lyrical Genius, Yorkshire & The Humber

TRACKS Collective is a Sheffield-based group of young artists brought together through TRACKS UK’s youth music programmes. Blending different ages, backgrounds and musical styles, they use music to share honest stories and positive messages. Their track “Spotlight” was inspired by conversations about gender equality and the women who inspire them, bringing together young performers, mentors and musicians in a powerful celebration of creativity, community and youth voice.