The abstract works, which Sheeran describes as colourful, Pollock-inspired splashes of paint, will be available to view in person and purchase as limited-edition prints. Each print is priced at £900, with 50% of proceeds from both the exhibition and print sales going directly to the Ed Sheeran Foundation.

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Formed in January 2025, the Ed Sheeran Foundation supports music education in state schools and grassroots youth organisations across the UK. Its mission is to highlight and expand access to music, particularly for young people, while advocating for music’s proven benefits to mental health, physical wellbeing, social connection, and future career opportunities. MXDWN’s initial coverage on the formation of the Ed Sheeran Foundation can be read here.

The global music star began painting during breaks in his touring and recording schedule and has increasingly turned to art as a creative outlet. Posting on Instagram, Sheeran explained the origins of the exhibition:  “So last year in between shows I was doing these paintings. I love painting, more for fun and to give to friends, but this time I was encouraged to do a show of them by @damienhirst and @heni. I paint when I’m not working on a record, just to do something creative with my brain. And it’s mostly just splashing colours on canvases, think Jackson Pollock but with colourful house paint.”

 

 

 

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He added: “I am by no means ‘an artist’, but I do love making art, it makes me feel great, and I love the end result. The paintings are for sale if anyone fancies it, and my proceeds from them will all go into the @edsheeranfnd so art will fund art. I like the idea of that. There’s also prints and other merch available, all quite fun. If you happen to be in soho over the next month pop in.”

This isn’t Sheeran’s first foray into visual art. In 2020, he donated a painting to a charity auction that raised £40,000, and he has designed several of his own album and EP covers including the art for his 2021 single ‘Afterglow’.

His foundation work aligns with his wider campaign to improve access to music education. Earlier this year, Sheeran joined artists including Sir Elton John in calling on the UK government to invest £250 million in youth music programmes. MXDWN’s full coverage of the campaign can be read here.

The ‘Thinking Out Loud’ songwriter performed a few of his hits including ‘Shape Of You’ and his most recent single, ‘Azizam’. He was also joined by grime legend JME for a version of ‘Radio’ from Ed’s 2011 release, ‘No. 5 Collaborations Project’ EP.

Sheeran was appearing in support of TRACKS – a group created by Sheffield Music School and Sheffield Music Hub, which helps young people break into the music industry. The group was awarded three years of funding from the Ed Sheeran Foundation earlier this year.

The group’s music facilitator, Louis Barclay, told the BBC of how the Sheffield group gained its support from Sheeran: “It started with Ed visiting TRACKS and seeing what we do,” he said.

“I think he just felt the ethos of what we do and saw it was something he wanted to support.”

As well as well-known stars like Ed Sheeran and JME, several students of TRACKS got to perform their new single called ‘Spotlight’. TRACKS performers Max, 16, and Jayden, 13, spoke with deep appreciation for the opportunity to jump on the set.

“It was insane, words cannot describe how good it was, it was just mad,” said Max. Jayden added: “I was so excited. I’ve never met him in person before and he’s one of the nicest persons I’ve ever met and I mean that from the deepest point of my heart.”

@djagonline @Ed Sheeran and @Kid_blu3 #djagonline #teamag #ukdj #london #djlife #teamag #tiktokdj #pop #edsheeran #active #sheffield #hiphop ♬ original sound – DJ AG ONLINE

London-based DJ AG has been leading open mic live streams in London and other cities, gaining virality on Tik Tok and other social media platforms. His ‘open format’ streams are known for their variety and accessibility: you may see well-known music icons like Skepta, D Double E or Jorja Smith perform during his sets, but he also gives space for up-and-coming/amateur performers to showcase their talents. He humbly told the BBC that “it’s not about me, I’m just a facilitator showcasing talent, trying to help, do my part, giving it everything and hopefully everyone had a good time.” His community-minded musical efforts led to him being named TimeOut’s Londoner Of The Year in 2024.

@djagonline @Jorja Smith Pulls up #djagonline #teamag #ukdj #community #music #birmingham ♬ original sound – DJ AG ONLINE

Throughout the past year, Sheeran has been giving pop-up performances around the world, with the singer-songwriter making appearances in India, London, New Orleans and New York to name a few. His eighth studio album, ‘Play’, is set to be released in September later this year, so far supported by two singles, ‘Azizam’ and ‘Old Phone’.

Sheeran was recently named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 – you can read our MXDWN coverage on that here.

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The initiative comes amid growing concerns over cuts to arts funding and the diminishing role of music in the national curriculum. Reports have shown that music education in state schools has suffered significantly over the past decade, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. The open letter argues that without proper funding, music will become an exclusive privilege for wealthier students, further deepening inequalities in the industry.

Sheeran, who himself benefited from state-funded programmes in his youth, stressed the importance of ensuring that young people, regardless of background, have the chance to pursue a career in music. In his Instagram post, the musician said: “As a young music student and aspiring artist, I benefited from opportunities in and out of school to learn & grow. Unfortunately, after decades of defunding and de-prioritising, music is no longer a right for all children – it’s a luxury for only a few.”

Other notable artists who have co-signed the letter include Paloma Faith, Annie Lennox, and Myles Smith, who also commented on Sheeran’s post stating: “Governments need to realise the importance of music not only as a cultural export and financial hub, but as the foundation and key feature of our society and community. Growing up in working-class Luton, access to music wasn’t just a way out – it was a way of living. It gave me purpose, belonging, and a voice. That’s why investing in music matters. It changes lives. It changed mine.” In January 2025, Sheeran has established the Ed Sheeran Foundation, aiming to empower children across the UK with meaningful music education. The foundation seeks to address the decline in music education within state schools by providing support and advocating for equal access to high-quality music programs. ​

 

 

 

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Additionally, The UK-based charity, Youth Music, invests in grassroots organisations and young creatives to ensure all young people have access to music. Over 25 years, Youth Music has invested over £263 million to secure music’s future and improve industry representation, making the next generation of creative talent more diverse and inclusive.​In November 2024, they partnered with Spotify to create a dedicated fund aimed at supporting 15 grassroots youth spaces across the UK that were facing imminent closure or struggling to survive.

The letter calls for a long-term funding commitment to improve music education infrastructure, hire specialist teachers, and provide instruments to students in need. Whilst the government has yet to issue a formal response, campaigners hope that growing public support will put pressure on policymakers to act swiftly. This bold move by Sheeran and his fellow artists signals a crucial moment for the future of music education in the UK.

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A BPI survey carried out in 2019 noted that schools situated in poorer communities offer little to no music education, and this is something that the Ed Sheeran Foundation aims to focus on and improve. The government has limited the funds reserved for art education drastically in the last decade, resulting in less and less children exposed to the power of music and prevented from discovering their talent. The survey had revealed that most schools in deprived areas offer no lessons or instruments availability to interested students, and only 12% of these have an orchestra, compared to an 85% of independent schools that, on the other hand, do have it. Upon revealing the results of the 2019 survey, BPI CEO Geoff Taylor had expressed his concern, saying:

“This inequality risks depriving our culture of future talents as diverse as Adele, Stormzy and Sheku Kanneh-Mason”

Sheeran himself revealed that music education was an important part of his life growing up and shaped his career; he said:

“Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.”

 

 

 

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The Foundation will run alongside pre-existing art and music organisations, for example the Cardiff Sound Progression, whose founder has spoken about their workshops while discussing the new foundation.

“Our young people come from diverse backgrounds across Cardiff and enjoy creating music in various genres from Afrobeats to Indie. Our weekend workshops serve as safe, inclusive spaces that unite communities – but without additional investment, we risk losing this and the incredible talent they nurture.”

Everyone, from artists to CEOs in the music industry agree that music education needs more funding, and schools need to be more aware of the importance of teaching artistic subjects. Last year, Sheeran had revealed in a podcast with Theo Von that he had begun funding artistic subjects at his local high school after discussing with his former teacher how little funding was given to the school across every artistic subject. Sheeran revealed that he built a recording studio and gave the school proper instruments, and that upon seeing the students’ improvement he decided to start funding schools in his county. That is where the Ed Sheeran Foundation began.

Sheeran has always been very supportive of charities and supporting independent music in the UK. He opened up about supporting grass roots venues back in 2022, discussing how some of the best gigs of his career had taken place in smaller and independent venues and how these were essential to UK music.

Sheeran recently gained his eight number one album. He will soon embark on another leg of his sold-out stadium tour ‘Mathematics World Tour’, which is set to become one of the most attended tours of the century.