Testimonials
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Stephen Belinfante, Arts Adviser for Worcestershire County Council
'Artsmark schools endorse the belief that achievement and participation in the arts are essential components in nurturing happy and confident young learners.'
Dame Lynne Brindley - Chief Executive of the British Library
“When creative writing is taught well it can have a huge impact on students’ ability to think critically, communicate clearly, inspire others, express themselves and understand complex issues and emotions. Artsmark helps us all – governors, teachers, students and employers – to better understand, deliver and celebrate high-quality arts education.”
Hofesh Shechter - one of the UK's most talked-about young choreographers
“It was through dance lessons at school that a world of opportunity and freedom opened up for me. To be able to express myself now through my work is entirely down to this first opportunity. I wholly support a programme that offers young people the chance to experience the same high quality arts education. Experiencing and participating in the arts can genuinely change the direction of someone's life and it is in our schools that these first encounters should take place.”
Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries
"This Government is firmly committed to cultural education, which is why we recently commissioned Darren Henley to conduct a full review of cultural provision in schools. I’m delighted to see the return of Artsmark, which will help to give thousands of children access to high quality arts provision in schools. I’m sure that the scheme will help not only to inspire our artists of the future, but their audiences too."
Liz Macfarlane, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
“In our best schools the arts help to bring the whole curriculum alive and engage young people with their education in a creative and meaningful way. Artsmark not only recognises schools with excellent arts provision, but requires schools to use the arts as a tool to develop learning across the curriculum. The Artsmark programme recognises those schools providing a good education across the board, not just good arts provision.”
Paul Reeve, Director of Education - Royal Opera House
"The arts have a vital role to play in the educational and personal development of young people; equally, they can contribute hugely to the dynamism, vibrancy and identity of a whole school. Artsmark is a great way of acknowledging and encouraging these things, and also the exciting contribution that collaborations with arts organisations and artists can make to a school’s provision."
Alan Davey - Chief Executive, Arts Council England
"Artsmark is a real success story for Arts Council England and the 20% of schools across England who currently hold an Artsmark award. Ensuring children and young people have access to high quality, broad and sustainable arts provision will help inspire future audiences and the next generation of artists and arts leaders."
Julian Lloyd Webber - Widely regarded as one of the most creative musicians of his generation
“Artsmark is a great way of encouraging schools to bring the arts to our children! The arts are a marvellous vehicle for bringing children together and exposure to them has been proved to have a beneficial effect not only on their other school subjects but also on their general well-being and feelings of self esteem”.
Pauline Tambling, Managing Director of National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural.
"The National Skills Academy recognises and develops skills opportunities for those entering and already employed within the creative and cultural sector. Introducing Artsmark to the Further Education sector will allow training provision and arts activity in colleges to be audited, celebrated and improved. By encouraging collaborations with professional artists and practitioners Artsmark rewards creative collaborations, industry engagement and links with the creative industries. Students in Artsmark colleges can be assured that the arts are taken seriously and that links with cultural employers are encouraged within the college”
Friern Barnet School - 3rd time Artsmark Gold in Round 10
"First awarded the Artsmark Gold in 2007, through the process of completing the initial application, the school was excited by the prospect of undertaking a detailed audit of its arts provision. It became a celebration of the school’s commitment to building on the already extensive opportunities to ensure that all students had access to an exciting and diverse arts curriculum.
Now, as a specialist Performing Arts School recognised as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in February 2011, the impact of the Artsmark on heightening awareness and exploring the school’s capacity for change has been invaluable. Over the years cross-curricular links have increased and the arts are now fully embedded across all subject areas. The award has certainly contributed towards staff engagement with the arts in recognising the value they have in developing students’ pride and self esteem.
In addition the ‘Gold’ standard has raised the profile of the school within the local area and promoted the outstanding arts provision. Parents, governors and members of the community regularly attend events and student participation continues to be extremely high.
Gaining an Artsmark award is a rigorous process that encourages thorough self evaluation and recognises existing strengths and opportunities for development. The Artsmark endorses the school’s provision and credibility as an arts provider and Friern Barnet School would strongly encourage other education institutions to apply." Jeremy Turner, Headteacher
Dame Liz Forgan - Chair, Arts Council England
"It is vital that children engage with the arts early in their lives. The arts contribute to the development and well-being of children and young people. They inspire future audiences and the next generation of artists and arts leaders. Artsmark is an invaluable programme for education settings to benchmark their arts provision and ensure children and young people are engaging with broad, high-quality arts from a young age."