The Luton Cultural Education Partnership adds another successful LCEP to the portfolio of cultural education activity that the University’s Centre for Academic Partnerships (CAP) has co-developed across Bedfordshire, which already includes Bedford Arts and Cultural Education (BACE) and Central Bedfordshire’s Creative Teachers’ Network.

The LCEP initiative was first introduced by Arts Council England (ACE) in 2015 as part of the organisation’s Cultural Education Challenge, which aims to unite and improve cultural education for children and young people in local communities. Each LCEP works with an ACE-approved ‘Bridge’ to share resources and bring about a more coherent and visible delivery of culture-based learning.

Bedfordshire’s LCEPs have been supported by the Royal Opera House ‘Bridge’ (ROH Bridge) – which works with schools, arts organisations, cultural hubs and councils across Beds, Herts, Essex and North Kent. In addition to this initiative, ROH Bridge has co-led the creation of several Creative Teachers’ Networks with support from the University’s CAP Arts & Culture Projects team, including in Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire. In Central Bedfordshire, it is hoped that the Creative Teachers Network will support the development of a future and formalised LCEP for local area.

Emma Gill, Arts & Culture Projects Manager, said: “I am thrilled to launch this LCEP programme for Luton, despite the hurdles and challenges we have faced due to Covid19. This investment will add tremendous value to the growing work that the Arts and Culture Projects team are delivering, alongside the University’s commitment to increasing access and participation in education.

“I am grateful to the support of our local cultural and education partners, ROH Bridge and Arts Council England, and look forward to supporting the sustainable development of local cultural education for Bedfordshire’s communities.”

The Centre for Academic Partnerships initiates, develops and sustains high-quality partnerships that reflect the University of Bedfordshire’s mission and values. Its Arts & Culture Projects team collaborates with a variety of regional, national and international cross-sector organisations every year, to help widen art participation opportunities and to enable the community’s current and budding artists to thrive.

The team also works across the University’s academic schools and professional departments to mobilise and share knowledge for the betterment and growth of the local creative and educational sectors. To read more about their projects, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/arts-and-culture-projects/

Check out this excellent exhibition by Nicole Mollett. It’s in Luton’s Mall and was supported by us through #testbeds! @uniofbeds @LCEPLuton @UoB_Art @BedsMap @uniofbedsnews https://t.co/t3m7vvgubd

— UoB Arts & Culture Projects (@UoBArtsProjects) July 20, 2020