Closure of UK’s Last Degree Program in Stringed Instrument Making Raises Concerns for Traditional Craft Preservation

The Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts, the only institution in the UK offering a full-time degree in stringed instrument making, will no longer accept new applicants, effectively ending its world-renowned courses in luthiery, guitar making, piano technology, and woodwind craftsmanship. This decision comes amid concerns from the Heritage Crafts Association, which recently classified over 90 traditional crafts as ‘critically endangered’ due to a declining number of practitioners. The closure could push the craft of luthiery into the critically endangered category, threatening the future of this culturally significant skill. The college cites low application numbers and sustained financial losses as reasons for the suspension, with only 17 accepted applicants for the next academic year. The announcement has sparked outrage among musicians and industry professionals, including BBC Young Musician of the Year winners and nearly 14,000 petition signatories. While the college is considering a privately funded replacement course, this would exclude access to student finance and visas for overseas students, who make up a significant portion of the student body. Campaigners argue that the loss of these programs would endanger the preservation of essential traditional knowledge, impacting not only professional musicians but also music education and community engagement across the UK.