On 11th February, Jo Tregenza, President Elect of the UKLA, was delighted to attend the launch of the Arts and Minds campaign. The event, introduced by Sarah Kalpatrick, President of the NEU, highlighted the importance of equal access to the arts for all, not just the wealthy.
Kalpatrick expressed her disappointment that the current Labour government has not yet addressed the issue of providing access to the arts for everyone. The theme of equality of access was strongly emphasized throughout the launch.
Several speakers shared their personal stories and the impact of the arts on their lives:
Music Secretary: Emphasized the need for all children, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, to have the same opportunities in the arts.
Naimah, a primary school pupil: Described how drama helps her walk in someone else’s shoes, leading to greater empathy and self-expression.
Arlene Phillips: Shared how dance gave her a sense of belonging and helped her discover her career path at a young age, despite being the only dancer in her secondary school.
Jamie Kenna: Spoke about overcoming ADHD and disadvantage to attend drama school, inspired by his passion for acting.
The event also addressed the broader implications of separating academic and creative education. Lord Jim Knight emphasized the need to prepare young people for a future with intelligent machines by equipping them with creative skills.
Other notable points included:
- The importance of allowing students to play, experiment, and explore.
- The call for all schools to incorporate arts into their curriculum.
- The need to move away from standardised measures like Progress 8 and the EBacc.
- The desire for diverse voices to be represented in cultural institutions.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, also attended the event, underscoring the government’s role in supporting the arts.
The launch of the Arts and Minds campaign was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the arts and the need for inclusive access for all children. This was underlined when a young primary pupil asked whether it might be possible for the children that were in the audience to take the stage and tell us what they hoped for. The young people talked briefly about how the arts has helped them find their voices, their passions and their dreams.