The Government has announced that each child should be offered at least 5 hours of high quality culture per week, in an out of school. They are seeking expressions of interest from partnerships wishing to explore how this could be achieved. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is April 7 2008. Download the application pack for the 10 Culture Offer pilots. Detailed instructions are availabale at SpecialEssays.com.


Application Form
Prospectus

As a minimum young people should have access to a range of the following opportunities:

• Attending top quality theatre, orchestral and dance performances
• Visiting and engaging with national and local exhibitions, galleries and museums
• Visiting heritage sites, significant contemporary buildings and public spaces
• Opportunities to engage creatively with library and archive services
• Learning a musical instrument
• Playing music or singing in ensembles
• Taking part in theatre and dance performances
• Producing a piece of creative writing, taking part in a reading group, or listening to authors talk about their work
• Learning about and making films, digital or new media art and
• Making a piece of visual arts or crafts

Background

Culture enriches lives; and all children and young people should have the opportunity to engage with high quality cultural experiences no matter where they live or what their background.

This programme will give them the opportunity to learn in and abut culture, developing as critical spectators, participants and creators of the cultural world around them. They will learn through culture using engagement with the arts and other activities to boost attainment, other skills and personal development. It will be an opportunity for all, but there will be a particular focus on those who would otherwise miss out.

Where young people show particular talents, the programme will ensure that they have the opportunities to develop and to progress into career in the cultural and creative sectors.

There will also be scope for communities and young people themselves to be involved in further designing the offer depending on local needs.

Young people will be offered:

• A depth and quality of cultural engagement not just access or one off activities
• A vibrant local offer with access for everyone, and the opportunity to develop talent and excellence and help particularly talented young people to have a career in the sector
• The opportunity to encompass experiences from birth to their transition to adulthood at 19
• The opportunity to be part of a multi-layered offering which includes culture on the curriculum and/or positive activities provided by local authorities and other providers in informal settings

Contact:

Jenny Bone Creative Learning Officer, MLA West Midlands.

Tel: 0121 345 7346

Michael Cooke, Learning & Social Policy Director, MLA West Midlands.

Tel: 0121 345 7343

For more information and to view the Prospectus visit:

www.creative-partnerships.com/offer