Equality, Diversity & INclusion
The cultural horizon: 2026
Anne Torreggiani and The Audience Agency team look to the year ahead and share their thoughts on the trends shaping the sector’s immediate future.
Choirs, knitting and printing: Everyday creativity and community bonding
We can’t get the whole population to the National Theatre, but we can foster connection in our libraries, music venues and village halls, writes Jess Plant, policy director at Cr…
All of Us: How one arts centre responded to the discovery just 1% of its workforce was disabled
Deborah Kermode, who leads Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre, discusses how the organisation instituted an ‘urgent’ 18-month project to diversify its staff and support disabl…
Nothing Without Us: Disability in the arts and cultural sector
Dr Mai Musié, senior manager at the National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE), speaks to three leaders working at the intersection of research and the cultural se…
Creative health, collaboration, and practice
Conni Rosewarne and Mary Paterson both work to integrate art into healthcare settings. Here, they discuss the unique problems facing creative health as a sector, the potential it o…
Pupil-led creativity: Researching the power of music in the lives of autistic children
Artist Alex Lupo, music in education leader Karen Irwin, and researcher Beth Pickard discuss the transformative importance of music in the UK’s specialist units for autistic youn…
Tremendous potential: Matching opportunity to appetite within inclusive dance
Keep Moving is a project designed to advance disabled leadership and champion inclusive participation. Becky Bailey of Fabric, a strategic dance development organisation based in t…
Let’s Create: The high watermark for inclusion in the arts?
After eight years in post, Andrew Miller is stepping down as a National Council member of Arts Council England and as chair of its Disability Advisory Committee. Here he reflects o…
Does the curriculum review allow teachers to step off the policy pendulum?
The recently published curriculum review has elicited a range of reactions and reflections. But primary school teacher and education consultant Joe Hallgarten thinks the response f…
Theatre needs CIISA more than ever
The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) was set up to uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries. Bectu’s Philippa Childs th…
Kids take over the museum
This week, Kids in Museums stages its 15th annual Takeover Day. Across the UK and internationally, museums invite children and young people aged 2-25 to do the jobs of adults. Chie…
Trauma-informed practice in arts and culture
What does it mean to be trauma informed when working in theatre? Jacqueline Stewart, Clean Break’s head of participation and deputy CEO shares her insights.
Co-creation as R&D: Children’s ideas at the ‘heart and start’
Lizzy Stephens, artistic director of Travelling Light Theatre Company, believes in giving children a voice and valuing their input. She thinks co-creation is the way to do it.
Curriculum and Assessment Review: An opportunity not to be missed
Ministers have long argued that background should not be a barrier to opportunity in life. That case can be powerfully made in terms of access to the arts, argues the RSC’s Jacqu…
The first cut is the deepest
With conference season in full swing, CEO of Punch Records, Ammo Talwar calls on policymakers to recognise culture as infrastructure with high growth potential and to invest, long-…
How museums are supporting early years development
Art Fund’s Rosheen Murray shares a new programme aiming to ensure every child, regardless of background, has the chance to develop to their full potential.
A legacy that plays on: From a founding bequest to a community of changemakers
This week is Remember A Charity Week. To mark it, Sanpreet Janjua from Young Sounds UK, shares how the charity is nurturing a circle of legacy supporters and the transformational p…
Talent, not tolerance: The music industry must do better for marginalised artists
Musicians who don’t fit traditional moulds still face barriers that inhibit their careers. The industry must do better, writes Ammo Talwar.
Performing arts for life
Gavin Oldham, chair of The Share Foundation, passionately believes in the power of the performing arts to help young people in care.
Celebrating children’s theatre
Nina Hajiyianni, artistic director of Theatre Porto, believes that theatre can change the world – which is why she dedicates her life to creating opportunities for children.
