Information released 25 May 2012

Arts Council England launches two major new commissions for work with children and young people

Arts Council England has published application guidance for two key new pieces of work with children and young people – the delivery of a new National Youth Dance Company and four new In Harmony projects.

The commissions will contribute to the Arts Council's long-term goal of every child and young person having the opportunity to experience the richness of the arts.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said:
“These commissions are the latest measures the Arts Council is taking to improve the delivery and quality of arts opportunities for children and young people.

“The past year has seen the Arts Council make some really significant interventions to give young people the chance to explore and experience the arts. These range from our network of Bridge organisations, which is up and running and connecting children and young people with the work of our funded organisations, to the re-launched Artsmark and our new music education hubs.”

National Youth Dance Company (NYDC)

The new National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) will offer talented young people from all backgrounds the chance to develop the high level performance skills needed for a professional career in dance.

The company will work with 30 talented 16-19 year old performers a year, over the next three years, providing new training and performance opportunities led by world-leading choreographers. The company will also support young artists to produce their own high quality choreography.

The Arts Council expects the NYDC to become the flagship national organisation for providing dance opportunities for young people, offering workshops and training to a wide range of young people beyond the company’s yearly intake.

This new commission follows the recommendation in Darren Henley’s recent review of Cultural Education to set up a national youth dance company. The successful applicant will receive £400,000 a year to run the NYDC. This is made up of £200,000 a year from the Department of Education and £200,000 from Arts Council England.

Read guidance for National Youth Dance Company commissioned grant

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-for-funding/strategic-funding/commissioned-grants/national-youth-dance-company/

In Harmony

In Harmony is a national programme, based on the Venezuelan El Sistema, which aims to inspire and transform the lives of children in deprived communities by using the power and disciplines of community-based orchestral music-making.

Arts Council England is looking for four organisations or partnerships to deliver four new In Harmony projects between 2012 and 2015. This follows the National Plan for Music Education recognising the importance of In Harmony and recommending its continuation.
The successful projects will build on the experiences and achievements of the three In Harmony projects in Lambeth, Liverpool and Norwich and will follow a common set of core principles while being entrepreneurial and locally responsive.
These principles include immersion in orchestral music-making several times a week from an early age; being open to all children in the school or community the projects are working in; providing teaching of exceptionally high quality; and ensuring musical progression is embedded from the start, including encouraging children to help each other learn.

The Department for Education and Arts Council England will jointly fund the programme, with the Arts Council taking a central co-ordinating and development role. As part of its refreshed approach to In Harmony, the Arts Council will create a national evaluation framework that ensures In Harmony projects provide evidence of their social impact and sustainability.

Applications for the both the National Youth Dance Company and the In Harmony commissioned grants are open now and will close on 25 June 2012.

For more information contact:
Nick Adams, Arts Council England
Tel: 0207 973 5549
Email: nick.adams@artscouncil.org.uk