News

The London Arts Council Bridge Organisation, A New Direction, has released a report which looks at cultural engagement in London schools. They have found that schools are more likely to initiate partnership working than it be driven by cultural organisations, and the old chestnuts of funding, transport and information are still the barriers that prevent joint working. This hugely useful mapping work is being done by all the regional Bridge Organisations and you can see what is available in your area here.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry

On 10 October the Culture, Media and Sport Committee launched a new inquiry into support for the creative economy and there is an invitation to us all to submit our views on the best ways to establish a strong skills base to support the creative economy. This is a great opportunity for us all to flag up that our education and learning systems need to nurture talent, knowledge, skills and understanding needed to make the sector flourish. The CLA will be making a submission and we urge you to do the same, however, the deadline is 2 November.

First World War

David Cameron has announced £50m funding and plans to commemorate the centenary of the First World War

These include:

• An enduring educational legacy costing £5.3 million, jointly funded by the Department for Education and the Department for Communities and Local Government, which will allow two student ambassadors, plus a teacher, from each maintained school in England to visit WWI battlefields and undertake research on local people to their school who fought in the War;
• At least £15m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, including a new £6m community projects fund, announced today, to enable young people, working in their communities to conserve, explore and share local heritage of the First World War

To get more involved take a look at the Centenary Partnership being headed up by the Imperial War Museum http://www.1914.org/partners/

National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural Wales

Many congratulations to the newly opened National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural in Wales: http://ccskills.org.uk/news/story/national-skills-academy-for-creative-cultural-launches-in-wales