Make the change

We are proud contributors to the Arts Council Review, led by Baroness Margaret Hodge.

Alongside a select group of organisations, we presented WORK UP’s recommendations for creating meaningful and lasting change within Arts Council organisations, as well as across wider communities and institutions.

Our response to the Hodge Review

The Hodge Review of Arts Council England has now been published.

We welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the review, informed by our work with schools, young people and cultural organisations, particularly around access to the arts and progression into creative careers.

We are pleased to see recommendations that recognise the need for stronger connections between education, culture and funding. This reflects issues we encounter consistently in our work, especially the uneven access to cultural experiences and information about creative pathways.

We particularly welcome the proposal for closer collaboration between the Department for Education, DCMS and Arts Council England, alongside philanthropists, trusts and foundations, to strengthen the cultural offer in schools. Investment in specialist teaching and support with transport costs speaks directly to barriers that limit participation long before young people reach the point of career choice.

We also welcome the review’s focus on representation across Arts Council England and within cultural organisations at all levels. Greater diversity in leadership, decision-making and workforce development is critical to opening up behind-the-scenes roles and shaping a sector that is accessible to a wider range of people.

We look forward to seeing how these recommendations are taken forward and remain committed to work that supports access, progression and representation across the arts and creative industries.

For information on our consultancy services, email: sarah@workup.org.uk