Arts Council England (ACE) marks its 80th anniversary today with the publication of a new book, Made in England: Art and Culture in Changing Times, a new collection of essays and contributions from artists, writers, academics and cultural leaders, reflecting on everything eight decades of public investment in culture and creativity has achieved for our country. 

Among the contributors is our Deputy Executive Director and Director of Creative Learning, Jacqui O’Hanlon. Her essay, The Case for Culture in the Classroom, makes a compelling argument for arts and creativity as a fundamental part of every child’s education. 

Drawing on personal experience, historical examples and a substantial body of evidence, she highlights how despite everything we know about the benefits to academic, social and emotional development, access to arts education remains uneven, often determined by geography or circumstance rather than universal entitlement.

She argues that this must change if all young people are to have the same opportunities to thrive and develop the skills needed for employability.

Her argument is underpinned by the fact that this year, the RSC celebrates more than two decades of working in deep partnership with schools, theatres and communities across England.

Building Partnerships: A 20 Year Story of Arts Impact is a series of special events and performances taking place this autumn that celebrate the power of working in partnership to ensure that more children are given access to the benefits of high-quality arts learning experiences.

The programme will also highlight the role of theatre as a uniting force and the power of the arts to improve confidence, belonging and wellbeing, as well as boost core skills from writing, language and better communication to critical thinking and problem-solving.   

Jacqui’s contribution calls for a future where these benefits are not limited to some, but guaranteed for all children. Looking ahead to the next 80 years, she urges policymakers at local and national levels, educators and the cultural sector to create better connected systems of opportunity to ensure that no child is disadvantaged by where they live or the kind of school they go to.