Project Brief - Cultural Education in East Cambridgeshire January 2021
We’re forming a new Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) for East Cambridgeshire and would like to commission some research and analysis of the current cultural education landscape in and around the District, to lead to the formation of a strategy and outcomes for the LCEP. Context:
East Cambridgeshire has not had a Local Cultural Education Partnership until now. There are 37 primary, secondary and SEN schools in the district. There is limited (but growing) sixth form provision, with most students travelling into Cambridge or Fenland to study at Level 5. Surrounding areas do have active LCEPs: Cambridge (My Cambridge), Fenland (Young Fenland Cultural Consortium), West Suffolk (Heart of East Anglia) and Peterborough (PHACE – Peterborough, Heritage, Arts and Cultural Enterprise).
East Cambridgeshire is part of the government’s East Cambridgeshire & Fenland Opportunity Area and is included in a Cultural Enrichment Programme being developed by Norfolk & Norwich Festival Bridge.
The District covers a rural part of Cambridgeshire; it includes Ely (it’s largest conurbation at around 20k population); several medium/large villages with well-established village colleges and smaller villages with primary schools. There are a range of cultural organisations and venues, including museums, visitor attractions, art galleries and a new theatre; with several being represented on the LCEP steering group.
This Brief is being paid for by funds raised by Babylon ARTS from the Culture Recovery Fund (round 1) and match funding from Festival Bridge.
What we need: We’re looking to support the set-up of this new LCEP. The steering group have established the need to have a clear picture of both the current cultural provision within and around the District; as well as the needs of the schools, colleges and young people who live in East Cambridgeshire.
The research, which will need to combine both desk research and consultation with cultural providers, young people and teachers; will be essential in helping to inform the next steps of the LCEP. Key Deliverables: ● Conduct research to produce a written report, including any statistical data from named sources, that provides us with a clear and up to date picture of the cultural provision in East Cambridgeshire and an overview of nearby cultural provision accessible to East Cambridgeshire young people. ● Present these findings to the LCEP steering group in person or via Zoom (depending on the situation at the time). ● Conduct (online, telephone or in person) consultation with a range of cultural organisations, young people and teachers, and survey(s), to establish answers to the following key questions: o How can cultural opportunities be offered to schools so that they are more likely to be taken up? (This question relates to format of the offer, frequency, type of activity, duration, cost and location) Babylon ARTS (operated by ADEC). Registered Co: 02999055. Registered Charity: 1043197 www.babylonarts.org.uk o What is the decision making process in East Cambs Schools that facilitates engagement with cultural opportunities in school, and how can this be supported by teachers and cultural providers? o How do children and young people engage with arts and culture in East Cambridgeshire currently and what do they feel is needed to help them engage more? o Are there particular needs of primary, secondary and SEN schools that need specifically addressing to help them form meaningful links with cultural organisations? o Is there a model for the way in which cultural organisations can work together to better support cultural education in East Cambridgeshire? ● With reference to the research and the consultation, make recommendations as to what could be the strategic focus of the LCEP steering group over it’s first two-three years of operation, in order to make a positive impact on cultural education for children and young people in East Cambridgeshire. ● Develop a strategy and basis for an action plan with the steering group.
The practicalities: We wish to appoint the person or organisation before 5th March and to commence work later that month, with the plan complete by end June 2021.
We anticipate spending up to £6,000.00 on this work.
NB: The amounts indicate maximum total spend and include VAT where applicable. Next steps: If you or your organisation is interested, please write to us outlining why your experience means you’re suitable for carrying out this work; how you would carry out this Brief, including examples of recent relevant work (can be web-links) and the details of two referees. We will be in touch with those we’re interested in pursuing to arrange a Zoom conversation in the week of 1st March 2021. The deadline is midday 18th February 2021.
Email it to: [email protected] and address your letter to Claire Somerville. To arrange an informal chat about the Brief, please email [email protected]. Supported with funding from:
Babylon ARTS (operated by ADEC). Registered Co: 02999055. Registered Charity: 1043197 www.babylonarts.org.uk