Bringing culture to kids

by David Whetstone, The Journal

The North East is to host the national headquarters of a new cultural organisation with a multi-million-pound budget. David Whetstone reports.

A NEW national organisation for ensuring children get regular access to top quality culture is to be based in Newcastle following a survey of potential bases outside London.

Last night the move was welcomed as another sign the North East has established itself as a leading cultural player. Between 25 and 30 jobs will be created in establishing the new organisation, called Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), in a city centre location which will be made public once the lease has been signed.

CCE will be responsible for running the successful Creative Partnerships programme which was set up by Arts Council England in 2002.

Under Creative Partnerships, schools invite creative professionals such as musicians and architects to work with pupils on challenging projects aimed at stretching their imagination and broadening their experience.

CCE, which will also deliver other national creativity programmes, will receive more than £75m from Arts Council England between April 2009 and March 2011. This will make it the Arts Council’s biggest regularly funded client organisation on a list which also includes the Royal Opera House (£56m) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (£31.5m).

Paul Collard, who became director of Creative Partnerships in 2005 and is to be CCE chief executive, said there was a general acceptance that it would be appropriate for Creative Partnerships to be run as an independent organisation rather than from within the Arts Council itself.

“Creative Partnerships is very focused on delivery and on making things happen for young children in schools,” he said. “The culture of a delivery organisation is different from a strategic organisation like the Arts Council that is focused more on the bigger picture.

“But in addition, the annual budget of Creative Partnerships is close to £40m which is getting on for 10% of the Arts Council’s budget. There’s a general view that projects like that should compete on equal terms from outside the Arts Council.”

Mr Collard said the Government was keen to see national initiatives based outside the South East.

“We looked at the cost of living, the workforce that would be available to us, the cultural environment and a lot of other issues and the North East came out top,” he said.

“I think this is a huge thing for the North East to have and it is a tribute to all the inspirational work that has gone on to create the cultural infrastructure in the region.

“A lot of the best work in this area goes on in the North East and this was another thing we looked at. There are incredible learning programmes being run by The Sage Gateshead, Live Theatre, the Customs House and other cultural institutions across the region.”

CCE will also run Find Your Talent, a Government-inspired scheme to seek ways in which all children can benefit from five hours of high quality culture a week.

Mr Collard said many children got their five hours already through music lessons and dance or drama classes, often outside school. The Government was keen to reach the children who do not. Another CCE project, which Cultural Partnerships launched this summer, is Shine.

“Schools often say the Government is more interested in exam results than anything else but this was an opportunity for schools to celebrate the talent of their young people,” said Mr Collard.

“This was very much an initiative of the Prime Minister who very strongly believes that we need to find the talent in every child. In some, this will be academic, but others have talent in other areas and schools have a role in unlocking that.”

Mark Robinson, executive director of Arts Council England, North East, said: “We’re thrilled but not surprised that CCE has chosen the North East as its base.

“This new organisation will sit comfortably within the region’s already thriving arts scene.

“We’re looking forward to working with this new organisation... to bring great art to young people all over the region and the country.”

CCE will be operational from April 1 next year.