In a speech delivered to the Westminster Education Forum this week, Althea Efunshile, Deputy Chief Executive of Arts Council England, recognised the opportunities that can be afforded by experiencing the richness of the arts, museums and libraries, and confirmed her commitment to bringing art and culture to every child and young person. Building upon current collaborations and partnerships with other organisations, Althea envisages a rich cultural landscape where quality is not compromised.

Althea said:

‘Our ability to absorb to learn, to adapt, and to work in partnership is what makes us especially English.’

By sharing success stories, such as the Arts Council’s Creative People and Places funding stream, the National Theatre Live project, and Musical Education Hubs (an Arts Council collaboration with Department for Education) the speech outlined plans to build upon the national framework, with local delivery through collaboration and partnerships. She emphasised that quality remains her priority, stating ‘we need to ensure quality too – the best that we can manage.’  She went on to outline the Arts Council’s cultural offerings for children and young people, such as the month-long national Family Arts Festival, which begins this week.

The Deputy Chief Executive ended her speech by attempting to identify the qualities that make us English, citing an ‘ability to learn, to adapt, and to work in partnership.’

Between 2010 and 2015 Arts Council England will invest some £1.9 billion of public money allocated by the Department of Culture, Media & Sports, plus £1.1 billion of Lottery funds, in the arts and culture of our nation. Along with public and lottery funding the Deputy Chief Executive believes that the future of the arts and cultural education lies in partnerships and collaborations.

To download the transcript of Althea's speech, see the external link below.

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/arts-council-news/althea-efunshile-deputy-chief-executive-arts-counc/