Arts Council England Chair Aims to Reconnect Youth
New Arts Council England chair Dawn Airey calls low youth engagement figures 'shocking' and vows to make the organization 'loud' and confident again
Only half of children in England visited a museum in the past year, and just over a quarter went to an art gallery. Dawn Airey, the new chair of Arts Council England (ACE), described these figures from a major new survey as both shocking and an amazing opportunity for change.
Airey, a TV industry veteran, gave her first interview since starting the job six weeks ago. She argued that experience of arts and culture should almost be a human right. The organization she now leads has faced a bumpy period, including funding cuts and criticism over complicated processes.
Survey Reveals Engagement Gaps
ACE published its first Creative Young Lives survey, one of the largest of its kind. It measures how children and young people engage with arts and culture. The research provides robust data on participation rates.
| Cultural Venue | Percentage of Young People Who Visited in Past Year |
|---|---|
| Museum | 51.79% |
| Theatre or Show | 48.56% |
| Art Gallery or Exhibition | 26.31% |
| Music Event | 22.25% |
Cost is a significant barrier. Thirty-two percent of respondents said expense prevented more visits to cultural places. More than half stated that making activities more affordable would help them participate more. Despite this, 74% of children said being creative was important to them.
A Vision for a Louder Arts Council
Airey recalled her first visit to ACE's London office felt quiet and subdued. She said she wants the organization to get its swagger back. "I want the Arts Council to be open, I want it to be confident, I want it to be leading conversations," she told reporters. She emphasized a desire for the body to have a sense of fun and energy. "I want us to be loud," Airey stated.
She acknowledged recent challenges. An independent review by Margaret Hodge this year criticized ACE for overly complicated application processes. Last year, its grant platform crashed, causing funding delays. Airey said the organization had become too process-driven and needs to relax.
Grassroots Impact in Barrow-in-Furness
Airey spoke during a tour of arts projects in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. She saw the work of Dowdales school, which maintains strong arts links despite national trends. Headteacher Emma Aubrey has fostered partnerships with major institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Aubrey said it has been a battle to keep arts education front and centre. She teaches drama, dance, and music to every child in key stage 3 weekly. The goal is not necessarily to create artists. It's about opening up a world that can be very insular and isolated, Aubrey explained. It is about making children believe they can be anybody.
During a rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet, pupils candidly described their town centre as rough and run-down. Their comments highlighted the broader context for ACE's work in communities.
The Path Forward
At a roundtable in Barrow, Airey told local organizations the Arts Council had been through a tough time. She reiterated her goal to restore its confidence and advocacy role. Jo Reilly, deputy director of Art Gene, urged ACE to be an advocate at all levels.
ACE distributes over £650 million annually in public and lottery money. It will publish new, simpler guidance for its next national portfolio funding round. Airey said ACE would be actively involved in the government's ambition to 'rewire the nation' through culture. She concluded that the organization has been doing that work for a long, long time.
