The participation myth

Policy rhetoric around strategies to and the value of increasing participation in the arts has been well documented internationally over more than a decade. But in the UK, which is the focus for this article, targets to increase participation have been consistently missed and there remains a direct correlation between those taking part in cultural activity and their socio-economic status. The starting point for this article is to examine the barriers to increasing participation in the arts and question the way that such policy has been implemented within the English context, which may have relevance for policy making in other countries. What is demonstrated is that policy implementation is influenced by vested interest of those in receipt of funding and that a narrow range of voices, from a powerful cultural elite, are involved in the decision making in the arts. The article makes a case for widening the range of voices heard in decision making in order to support both artistic practice and public engagement

Young musicians for heritage project: Can a music-based heritage project have a positive effect on well-being?

This paper examines the intrinsic potential for well-being outcomes in a heritage-related music project. We look at how creative activities that are embedded in a community can serve to enhance the cohesion and well-being of communities through the work of its youth groups. The paper also examines the important roles of partnership working and peer mentoring and how they need the time and resources to be nurtured in order to ensure sustainability and self empowerment as long-term legacies of arts-based community well-being initiatives

Arts and sport A report to the Social Exclusion Unit

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:f99/3258 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Arts and sport Research report; arts and neighbourhood renewal

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:f99/3257 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo