This much we know ...

Arts Council England has decided to conclude its funding of the Creative Partnerships programme at the end of the current academic year to create space for a new generation of creative and cultural activity for children and young people.

Today, The Guardian writes about the economic impact of Creative Partnerships, showing how it earns £15.30 of economic and social benefit for every government pound spent (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2010): a phenomenal return.

There will be much more to say, but the key fact to stress is that Creative Partnerships continues as a vibrant source of innovation and excellence in the East Midlands for 2010-11. CCE – the national managers of the programme – have invited The Mighty Creatives to deliver the very best year yet, and we want to surpass that expectation.

250 East Midlands schools will join the programme this year – that will give rise to employment for several hundred more creative practitioners who will co-produce creative learning with several thousand children and young people (last year we estimate the programme involved 25,000 children across the region). I’m already inspired by the passionate responses we have received for the year ahead. There should be lots of amazing work to see.

For more detail, we have issued a press release and written to each of our schools, creative agents and local authority partners. Please check your in-tray or visit our website for the latest.

So, where do we go from here?

Firstly, I think Arts Council England’s decision creates a unique opportunity to confirm the value of arts, creativity and culture at the heart of young lives. If we are able to win arguments for funding in the future, will have done so based on what we have learnt together, what we can demonstrate we can deliver and the quality of our vision: real change, real opportunities, real outcomes. I like and welcome that challenge. It takes everything we have learned and asks us to put it into practice. Surely that’s what a change programme like Creative Partnerships is for?

Of course, we must be careful we don’t lose what we have learnt through the Creative Partnerships experience. Yes, in any national programme, certainly one as long-running as Creative Partnerships, there are things we don’t like, things that might feel awkward when set against spontaneous ambition. But, we have also seen and achieved so much through a structured, systemic approach to creativity. Many schools have found a revitalising energy that has helped them excel against the odds; many skilled practitioners have learnt new ways of using their own creativity to inspire others; many exceptional projects have shown how heart-poundingly exciting - and effective - teaching and learning can be; many young people have been given the opportunity to excel in new ways and in new directions. Young people have started to love school. Parents have joined them. Could we have asked for more?

In finding a way forward, we must be proud of our achievements but able to innovate to meet new challenges and create new opportunities. Certainly the ground has changed massively in this new economic and political era. I want to thank Arts Council for helping us get to this point. I also want to thank them for inviting us to unleash our creativity once again.

So, where next?We won’t be sitting quietly and waiting for opportunity. It’s time to be bold and confident. Over the next few weeks and months, The Mighty Creatives will do 2 things:

1. launch a new campaign to celebrate the way young people have used creativity to transform lives. The Be Mighty/Be Creative campaign champions the unique role creativity plays in helping all young people thrive. It also recognises the skilled adults that have used their own creativity to inspire young people to build a brighter future. The campaign will set out some big ideas for young people in the Big Society and, perhaps most importantly of all, we will have fun.

2. launch our new business Planets to continue to bring the very best opportunities to children and young people in the region. Our Planets create space for unique and ambitious work, each focused on a separate theme:
· Learning
· Leadership
· Innovation & skills
· Sector development

We will be inviting our partners to help build the Planets around shared ambitions and interests. We will work together to win arguments and secure new funds for new and inspiring work.

To be true to our mission, we will also be recruiting Mighty Teams of children and young people to collaborate with each other and with adults to drive this work and make a real difference to young lives across the region.

Those of you who know me, recognise that I occasionally giggle with excitement.... I’m giggling now ;-).

I look forward to seeing you on Planet TMC!