Creativity has kept us going through the toughest of times
Our CEO, Darren Henley has an inspiring message for Artsmark schools as we settle into the new academic year.
When I look back over the last 18 months, and at the pupils, teachers and support staff at our schools across the country, I’m given pause for thought. There’s no doubt about it. You have faced one of the most challenging and disruptive periods since the Second World War. And there may well be more hurdles to come. I’ve not only been inspired by the way you have coped, but also by hearing about the role creativity has played in home education and within the restricted school confines.
There are so many examples from across the country. But, to name just two; Cheam High School, a long-standing Artsmark school who achieved their fourth Artsmark Gold award in September 2020, used whole-school creative projects to create community during lockdown. Admiral Lord Nelson, an Artsmark Platinum school embedded creativity in their online teaching to keep students and staff motivated. There are so many more inspirational stories like these which we’ve captured on our Artsmark blog. Creativity has kept us going through the toughest of times – and will continue to do so.
Here at the Arts Council, we are doing all we can to ensure artists, arts organisations, libraries and museums – and creativity more generally – remain a top priority in our recovery, including through education. Refreshing the Artsmark process and making it easier for schools to become involved has been an investment priority of ours this year. Let’s Create, our new strategy for culture and creativity across England until 2030, places opportunities for children and young people at its heart. Find out more about recent Artsmark changes, and you can explore our strategy for the next ten years.
This year marks Artsmark’s 20th anniversary. This is the year to take stock of our collective achievements and celebrate our success. Whether you’re just starting out on your Artsmark journey or if you were leading the way since the very beginning, you are making a huge difference to children and young people across the country every single day.
So please, get involved with #Artsmark20 and shout about your achievements during Artsmark Celebration Week (8 – 12 November 2021) so make sure to keep an eye on our website for more information.
And we’d love to hear your #Artsmark20 stories. Have you been involved since 2001? Have you nurtured any famous creatives? How’s Artsmark made a difference to your career? Tell us your story.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your expertise, imagination, innovation, resilience, patience and adaptability in keeping our young people, parents and carers focused and educated during one of the most difficult times in history. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating the role creativity has played, and will play, in making life better for pupils and young people across the country.
