Schools, like many publicly funded organisations, are consistently struggling for funding. We know that many school arts departments are stretched in their budgets, and more so now with the cost of living crisis impacting on core school costs such as utilities. When articulating their offer for schools, arts & cultural organisations must demonstrate value and have measurable outcomes linked to schools priorities. Whether outcomes are expressed in a way that’s directly connected to your organisation’s core purpose, or are more general such as increase in confidence, or linked to positive mental health and wellbeing, being clear about what schools can expect to gain from working with you will be helpful to everyone involved.
To support your case, there is helpfully a large amount of research available demonstrating the value of the arts for young people; ranging from offering insights into creative careers, to supporting future visitor numbers and audiences, and increasing young people’s cultural awareness and understanding. Taking part in the arts can of course also help to develop broader transferable skills, which are essential for success as young people move through life: resilience, teamwork, communication, confidence, empathy, creativity and entrepreneurship. Being able to refer to this as part of your approach to schools will help to make your offer stand out.
Ofsted’s increasing focus on a broad and balanced curriculum is motivating many schools to demonstrate how their curriculum is serving the needs of all their students, within, above and beyond the EBacc. The recent National Plan for Music Education and the Model Music Curriculum indicate the standards and expectations for Music, with Art & Design, Drama and Design Technology additionally being included in the National Curriculum, which all local authority schools (schools not in a Multi Academy Trust) have to follow.
Arts Award is one way to demonstrate measurable outcomes for the work that you do with schools. Through Arts Award, young people not only expand their arts skills but are also supported to develop as leaders, gaining authentic, real-world skills that any young person entering the workforce will need. You can either run the qualification at your organisation, or advertise that you can support with a part, or parts of, Arts Award. The best way to do this is by registering as an Arts Award Supporter which is a great way to let local schools and community groups know that you have opportunities to help them in their delivery of Arts Award. You can also advertise any online or remote opportunities for those based further afield.
You may want to consider offering Arts Award as a specific programme or link it to your wider pre-existing opportunities for schools. Arts Award is available at five levels (Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver and Gold) and can be completed in any art form or creative discipline, meaning that it can be used to accredit a wide range of cultural offers for different ages, groups and abilities. Many arts organisations have had success linking school visits to a Discover in a Day programme, or a Bronze in a Week opportunity or work experience, some of which can be completed back in the classroom.
Part of any cultural organisation’s strategic engagement plan will include working with schools. They are a key partner in any activity related to young people in your local community, and not only do they offer an immediate audience who can benefit from your offer, they can act as a route to engaging families and community groups. Working with local schools will help to increase the sustainability of your programmes and raise the profile of your work. Evidence shows that young people who are exposed to arts and culture are more likely to go on to be the visitors and audiences of the future (New Philanthropy Capital, 2019) – so supporting schools to engage and facilitate these early experiences is vital to ensuring the future of the arts and cultural sector.
Working with schools can be incredibly challenging. Each school will have its own priorities and pressures, and we all know that teachers are always pushed for time. Making your offer stand out, feel achievable and have benefits for the students, teachers and the wider school community, is essential for long-term success with schools in your locality or further afield. Here are some of the key things to be aware of to ensure fruitful engagements with schools:
The Transition Arts Project, run by Inspiring Futures, works to ensure that every Year 7 student in Barking and Dagenham, London, achieves Arts Award Discover. This supports their transition to secondary school, increases their cultural awareness and provides positive experience of the arts. You can read more about this programme on the Arts Award blog.
Place-based engagement, and co-created work, has an increasingly central part in Arts Council England’s plans, and forms a core strand of the new Arts Council England 10-year strategy, Let’s Create. Recognising that arts and cultural organisations have a key role to play in community cohesion and recovery is an excellent development, and ensures that the great work of arts organisations continues to be celebrated. Young people shouldn’t be left out of this conversation, and this is central to the plans of many Local Cultural Education Partnerships.
If you are looking to re-engage or start a local community programme with, by or for young people, it is important to consider your local context. Are there already lots of youth theatres or orchestras? Be aware of what is already in your local area and ensure that what you are offering is distinct. Also consider other non-culturally focussed organisations in your community who may be willing partners. Linking with organisations working in the areas of youth justice or young people’s mental health, or those providing services in the community for young people with additional needs, can help to reinforce and add value to your offer for young people. And if you are looking to offer Arts Award to groups who face barriers to arts participation, you could apply for an Arts Award Access Fund Grant.
There are many strategies that can be used to reach out and embed your organisation in local communities. Does your organisation have a youth council or youth advisory board? These can be excellent ways to make young people feel like they have some ownership of their local cultural places, and can be a great way to gain new insights into the work that you are doing. Holiday camps or weekend workshops are another a great way to attract young people to your organisation and family days bring in multiple generations at once. Linking to your schools work, you may want to consider discounts or incentives for families to make repeat visits after a school trip or activity.
Ensure you are linked up with your local Bridge Organisation and Local Cultural Education Partnership (if you are in England) to tap into local partnership and networking opportunities. Connecting with organisations with similar organisations and priorities will not only ensure you have access to a supportive network; your organisation will also benefit from the boost to its profile.
