New arts programme to inspire youth

The Arts Council England has launched a new programme to engage young people in culture and the arts.

The programmes are jointly funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Arts Council and take forward some key recommendations in the National Plan for Music Education and Darren Henley’s recent review of cultural education.

Sadler's Well will receive £400,000 a year to run the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC). The company will provide intensive training and performance opportunities for 90 teenagers aged 16 to 19.

The NYDC is expected to become a flagship national company for dance and young people working with the rest of the dance sector to promote opportunities for young people to access dance across all of its forms.

The Sage Gateshead, Nottingham City Council, Opera North and Telford & Wrekin Music deliver four new In Harmony projects between now and 2015.

The InHarmony programme is based on the Venezuelan El Sistema, which uses orchestral music-making to inspire and transform the lives of children in deprived communities.

The four successful new projects will receive a total of £1.5 million in investment from DfE to build on the experiences and achievements of the existing In Harmony projects in Liverpool and Lambeth.

Julian Lloyd Webber, founder of In Harmony, said: "It is fantastic news that In Harmony is now moving onwards, upwards and outwards with another four inspirational projects."

A new museums and schools programme will increase the number of high quality educational visits by schools to local museums.

The £3.6 million programme will support regional museums in 10 areas of England to bring more students into contact with their skilled staff and collections.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “The Arts Council believes that every child and young person should have the opportunity to experience the excellence, aspiration and richness the arts can offer.

"What we offer young people needs to enable them to engage with something that is really excellent and stretches their ambition. If the offer isn’t excellent then we are doing them a disservice.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: “Introducing the UK’s young people to dance, music and museums through fantastic initiatives like these will help inspire, nurture and foster the next generation of performers.

"The UK has a long history of cultural achievements and we’re committed to ensuring that schoolchildren, regardless of background, can take part in a broad range of high quality artistic activities.

"By opening the doors to rich cultural experiences, we are providing, what may be for many, the beginnings of a life-long enjoyment and appreciation of the arts.”