'Arts in the Right Place' talk aims to bring Milton Keynes schools and the arts closer together

A conference called 'Arts in the Right Place' is set to go ahead in Milton Keynes which aims to bring schools and the arts sector closer together.

The cultural education meeting, organised by MAKE (the MK Cultural Education Partnership) and the Leadership and Training Centre, will go ahead on October 14 at Shenley Brook End School and will be available online from 4.30pm to 6pm.

‘Arts in the Right Place’ is aimed at teachers, heads and governors, and is designed to create new networks between schools and the arts and heritage sector.

The event is also being supported by Milton Keynes Council (MKC), and it will be opened by CEO of the Council, Michael Bracey,

A MKC spokesperson said: "It will be a fabulous display of top class education offers available to Milton Keynes schools by local arts and heritage organisations, with showcases from children and young people showing the value that creativity has added to their education and lives."

MAKE said it identified the need for this conference through research it carried out with teachers in 2019/2020.

The teachers' feedback, MAKE said, showed that they are not aware of the wealth of education offers that artists and arts and heritage organisations offer, and that they would like to find out more about this.

MAKE went on to say artists and arts and heritage organisations find it difficult to advertise its offers to schools as teachers and heads can be difficult to reach. This, MAKE said, is an opportunity to bridge the gap and create new pathways of communication.

Since it was established in 2016, MAKE has brought more than £250,000 worth of funding into Milton Keynes.

Elizabeth Howard, manager of MAKE said: "Creative thinking is a vital skill for children and young people to acquire. Not only does engaging in creativity help people to become more emotionally resilient, it also empowers young people to be innovative and adaptable as they move into various careers.

"We have heard time and again from STEM businesses that they want young people with the ability to think originally and robustly. A holistic education that includes creative thinking equips them to do just that."

MKC said it has shown its commitment to cultural education in Milton Keynes by awarding nearly £40,000 for the management of MAKE in 2019 and 2020, and investing £50,000 in a skills-enhancement project for young people called the Young Creatives.

To book a place, visit https://artsintherightplace.eventbrite.com

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