The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith recently hosted the official launch of the Cultural Inclusion Manifesto, a statement of intent to address children’s needs for better access to cultural and arts opportunities.
The initiative has been funded by The John Lyon’s charity, to give children and young people with disabilities equal access to, and opportunities to engage with, arts and culture. The aim is to help schools, cultural and arts venues and disability organisations to co-produce better and more opportunities for young people.
The launch
The inaugural launch of the Cultural Inclusion Manifesto took place on Wednesday 16th May at The Lyric Hammersmith, described as a fitting venue for the launch as the Manifesto grew out of the West London Inclusive Arts Festival.
The launch was attended by a wide audience comprising representatives from the educational sector, cultural sector and politicians illustrating the wide appeal of the manifesto.
Speeches included one by Anita Kerwin-Nye, the leader of Every Child Should, which has supported the manifesto since its infancy. Every Child Should is bringing together a steering group to take forward the next steps.
Other supporters include the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Collection Trust and Eureka!
The future of the Manifesto
Paul Morrow, the author of the Cultural Inclusion Manifesto, commented: “We are collectively working on curating a national Cultural Inclusion conference in the autumn to explore the Manifesto in more depth.
“Alongside the organisations at the core of this work are developing a programme of work to support cultural and heritage settings to develop their offer with special schools, mainstream settings, families and children and young people with disabilities, as both artists and as audiences.
“Exciting plans are afoot and I’m pleased and honoured to be a part of this initiative.”
For more information and to sign up to the manifesto visit culturalinclusion.uk
