Children and Young People

MLA North West champions the contribution of museums, libraries and archives to improving the lives of children, young people and families through stimulating experiences which develop learning, personal and social skills and enhance employability.

All children and young people should have access to high quality and enjoyable creative and cultural experiences and should participate in decision making about what they should be. MLA North West and Arts Council England, North West, are working with partners to achieve this through:

• Working with, supporting and challenging the cultural sector to respond to the change for children agenda;
• Advocating to children’s services and supporting the development of increased access and opportunities to cultural provision for children, young people and families; and
• Valuing children and young people’s views and opinions, actively promoting their participation in the design, commissioning, delivery, monitoring and review of local services

Principles of a Cultural Offer to Children & Young People

This work is based on the principles that all children and young people in the North West should have:

• access to a wide range of diverse, high quality cultural and creative experiences from early years through to adulthood;
• access to high standards of arts and cultural education and sustained creative learning opportunities;
• the right to have their cultural and creative expression valued and respected by others; and
• opportunities to improve their creative skills and talents for personal fulfilment and to contribute to the creative economy.