News and publications

Each year, our Awards for Artists recognise exceptional visual artists and composers. In this blog, we explore one of its defining aspects – an art award with no strings attached. 

In this blog, our Head of Programme – Arts, Shoubhik Bandopadhyay, reflects on our decision to focus on renewing existing grants and revisiting applications received in the last year.

Catherine Sutton, our Head of Programme – Education, reflects on the insights gained from this year’s Teacher Development Fund cohorts and highlights common themes shared across the projects.

Acting Head of Learning at The Story Museum in Oxford, Lucy Webber, shares their Teacher Development Fund approach through the learning journey of one of their core teachers, Jade Matthews from St Christopher’s C of E school in Oxford.

As Moving Stories heads into its final months, Sharon Trotter, Director of Lewisham Education Arts Network; Laura Aldridge, Head of Children and Young People’s Dance Programmes, Trinity Laban; and Alison Hale, Creative Director of Peoplescape Theatre, share the learning process and reflect on the benefits of their multi-partner approach, supported by the Teacher Development Fund.

Bernie Furey, Strategic Director of Teach Heart Alliance, shares the impact of their Teacher Development Fund programme for participating teachers and considers the longer-term legacy for the network of schools.

Tory Sandars, Talking Tales Project Manager at Polka Theatre, reflects on their learning journey over the course of the first year of their Teacher Development Fund project. In close consultation with artists and partner schools, the team reimagined their programme midway through the year. This adaptive approach has paid dividends, resulting in stronger relationships between artists and teachers and deeper engagement from schools.

Sarah Golding, Head of Arts, Culture and Heritage at Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, reflects on the uniqueness of the Teacher Development Fund and the opportunities it has created within their project to foster deep learning and development and genuine exchange.

We asked three organisations we support through our work investing in young people to tell us what they hope to see in the new National Youth Strategy.