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England's Kids Lack Arts Access; New Chair Acts
18 Sep
Summary
- New Arts Council chair prioritizes fixing shocking youth arts access.
- Research shows only half of children attended museums recently.
- Cost is a major barrier preventing youth cultural participation.
Dawn Airey, the new chair of Arts Council England, has stated her intention to address the 'shocking' lack of arts and cultural access for children across England. In her first interview since taking the role six weeks ago, Airey emphasized that experiencing arts and culture should be considered a fundamental right.
Research released by the Arts Council reveals that in the past year, only 51.79% of young people visited a museum, and 48.56% attended a theatre performance. Worryingly, 74% of children believe creativity is important to them, with 60% wanting more engagement in cultural activities.
Airey, a television industry veteran, is committed to restoring the Arts Council's 'swagger' and making it more confident and leading in its conversations. She observed that the organization had felt subdued upon her arrival and wants to inject more energy and fun into its operations.
Cost is identified as a significant obstacle, with 32% of young respondents citing it as a reason for not participating in more cultural activities. Airey's visit to Dowdales school in Barrow-in-Furness highlighted the positive impact of accessible arts education on students, reinforcing her commitment to improving engagement.
The Arts Council, which distributes over £650 million annually, plans to publish simpler guidance for its next funding round. Airey aims to ensure that the organization actively contributes to the government's ambition to 'rewire the nation' through arts and culture.
