Partnership project to improve cultural education in London

Organisations are being invited to submit bids to be part of the ‘Cultural Education Challenge’, a new scheme that aims to drive “a step-change in cultural education for children and young people in London”. Led by A New Direction (AND), the lead ‘bridge organisation’ for London, the project will use Arts Council England funding to make nine investments of £100k into partnership initiatives in the capital over the next three years.

AND says that “too often for young people, cultural education and creative learning is dependent on wealth, geography or luck”. It hopes partners will investigate ways of improving access and engagement in culture amongst economically disadvantaged young people, as well as improving relationships between cultural organisations and schools, and attracting young Londoners into creative careers.

The initiative has been designed to construct “sustainable, innovative partnerships for the delivery of cultural education”, generating new sources of funding as well as improved cultural education outcomes for young people. Partners will be expected to provide a minimum of 100% match funds. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 8 May 2015.