University launches Joan Armatrading scholarship

Joan Armatrading grew up in Birmingham

A Birmingham university has launched a new scholarship with Grammy-nominated singer Joan Armatrading.

The performer and songwriter grew up in the city and began her career at a young age before going on to achieve international success and awards.

BIMM Music Institute Birmingham said it was "exciting" to launch the The Joan Armatrading Scholarship from September.

Supporting the scholarship was important, she said, because young people needed to be involved with music to keep it alive.

The course will provide full three-year tuition fees for a candidate who is from a low household income, or a group that is under-represented in higher education, the university said.

'Perfect figurehead'

James Maiden, dean of BIMM Music Institute Birmingham Campus, said: “Joan Armatrading is a leading light among the many influential artists with ties to our city of Birmingham, and we are honoured and truly excited to launch this partnership with her.

"Joan’s achievements and the substantial impact her career has had on the music industry make her the perfect figurehead for our scholarship, which will transform a talented student’s opportunity to build a career in music.”

As well as being a three-time Grammy nominee, Armatrading has won a coveted Ivor Novello Award for outstanding contemporary song collection, collaborated with Elton John and was renowned as a champion of new talent, the university said.

"I also love the enthusiasm of young people," she said of the scholarship.

"I love how they think they can conquer the world, and guess what, most success happens when you are young and full of optimism."