Everyone in England should be able to “participate in the arts and/or crafts”, regardless of their background or area, according to a new Manifesto for Participation launched at the nalgao conference. The Manifesto was developed by representatives from national organisations with support from Government departments and Arts Council England, and a new Participation in the Arts (PITA) website has been set up. Its vision is for “every person [to have] the opportunity to lead and develop arts and crafts activities in their neighbourhood if they so wish, and [to be] able to progress as far as they wish”. PITA hopes that organisations and individuals will use the manifesto to identify how and where participation takes place; to find ways of increasing and widening participation; to invest in, and develop, the infrastructure; to develop a strong coalition and a joined-up approach; to bring about a step change in current support; to share best practice; to raise the status of amateur/voluntary participation; and to develop the role of the participant in setting the agenda, defining the language and being actively involved in decision-making. Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Arts Network, has urged arts professionals to pledge their support for the manifesto and to use its website as a forum for discussion.
Editorial Partners
