Using the arts and culture to deliver positive activities for young people

• Arts Council England

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02 November 2009These case studies are advocacy tools to demonstrate the ways arts and culture deliver positive activities for children and young people.

Arts Council England in partnership with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) staged three one day events in July 2009 to increase understanding of how the arts and culture can help deliver positive activities for young people and National Indicator 110. NI 110 aims to measure and drive improved performance in the proportion of young people participating in positive activities.

Meeting the needs of children and young people and engaging them in positive activities is high on the agenda of central and local government. Research shows that the activities young people participate in out of school have a significant bearing on their outcomes in later life. They provide opportunities for young people to learn and practice social, physical, emotional and intellectual skills; contribute to the community; belong to a socially recognised group; establish supportive social networks of peers and adults; experience and deal with challenges; and enjoy themselves.

Participation in positive activities has been linked to improvements in academic, preventative and development outcomes, such as school performance, avoidance of drug and alcohol use and anti–social behaviour, and increased self confidence and self esteem.