Future Views is a research project imagining the future of cultural learning in 2026 This workshop is being led by organisations who support work with young people in places like museums, theatres, galleries and schools. The funding comes from the Arts Council of England, who are an agency for the Government. They want to ensure the children continue to have their right to access art, culture and the best education in the future, as technology and the world changes.
How you are helping By taking part in this workshop you are contributing to a National conversation. Your ideas will be used to challenge people who have power, and make sure they do enough to ensure young people can be creative and thrive in the future. You are also helping us to trial this workshop so it other groups can use it across the country.
Nobody has been to the future Looking into the future is difficult for everyone, even experts. Really, all we can do is use our imaginations. We have to use the question ‘what if?’ to explore lots of different possible futures.
UK is a creative powerhouse • Digital: Digital business is growing 30% faster than the rest of the economy. • Drama: Tourists love British theatre, and made for TV in the UK exports all around the world. • Creative Industries: Creative industries make £8 million an hour for the economy, and are worth a total of £71 billion. Games are a big leader. • Music: UK music industry makes £4.1 billion a year, and builds on great heritage with artists like David Bowie (can they name some more?) • Film: UK films win 20% of awards in the world. • Tourism: Tourism is the 5th largest industry in the UK. Visitors come here for museums and art. • Visual Arts: Galleries and public art has helped regenerate towns and cities across the UK.
The future is uncertain The UK’s creativity and culture is at risk due to these factors. And there may be many more we don’t know yet. We can’t take our country’s creativity for granted. If we don’t nurture it we’ll lose it.
What do we stand to lose? As well as their contributions to the economy, the arts, creativity and culture really matter to people. How do they matter to you, your local area and people around you? What do you think should be done?
This will help you decide who to ask for help At the end of the workshop you will decide what action needs to be taken. You will address a request to someone you think has enough influence. This diagram explains simply how decisions are made about arts and culture, employment and education. You may know of other people or organisations not included here.
A team game • There will be 4 rounds to the game. • You will work in teams, focusing together on a particular sector: o Digital businesses (e.g. game design or Internet of Things) o Theatre and drama o Music o Film, TV and media o Visual arts o Tourism, museums and heritage
• Points are awarded for Passion, Imagination and Practicality
You will draw the Double Diamond as your canvas for working out ideas This is a framework often used in design teams. First you will open up your ideas to all the possible threats and opportunities. Then focus again on how they affect what matters to you. Then open up again to explore what a good creative future could be. Then focus in again on the actions needed to get there.