News

Make a difference: ask your MP to become a champion for cultural learning

17 January 2017

Over the last year we've been working on redrafting and updating our Key Research Findings and the essential arguments and evidence in our ImagineNation document.

We are really excited to be launching them both next week in parliament.

We very much hope that as many MPs and members of the House of Lords as possible will come to the event and be inspired to become champions for the arts and heritage. We want them to hear positive, transformational stories on the value of cultural learning and to take a moment to think about the young people they represent.

All parliamentarians have been invited, but the best way of convincing them to come is for individuals in their own constituency to write to them and urge them to attend.

If you could take a moment in the next week to write to your own MP (or to any Ministers or members of the Lords who you have a relationship with) and ask them to attend the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion, 16:00 – 18:00 on Tuesday 24th January we would be extremely grateful.

Please do let your MP know why cultural learning is important to you.

At a time when we are seeing a decline in the arts in schools and funding in local authorities is being cut, we need as many political allies as possible, and the best way to create them is for them to see the incredible value and benefits of the arts first-hand. Your personal letters will make all the difference.

We’ll be publishing our two new reports; ImagineNation: the value of cultural learning and our Key Research Findings online on our website on the 24th January, and it would be great if you were able to tweet about them with the hashtag #ImagineNation and to share the PDFs widely amongst your partners.

If you don’t know your MP’s contact details, then please do find them here.

See below for a draft e-mail for some inspiration...

(N.B. this is not an official invitation that will get anyone through security at the House of Commons – we’ll need to send this separately in advance to anyone who is coming, and they'll also need to be on our list!)

 

ImagineNation: the value of cultural learning launch
24 January 4-6pm, speeches 4.30pm, Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons

Dear XXXX

I am one of your constituents and I wanted to write to ask you to attend this celebratory event for arts and children and young people that is taking pace at the House of Commons next week.

Arts and heritage are extremely important to this community and make a real difference to children's lives: they do better in school, are more likely to vote and volunteer and are more likely to stay in employment. The arts make children healthier and make a real difference to reoffending rates.

If possible use an example of your work or of a great cultural learning project / organisation / school or children's centre in your community.

If you are able to attend this launch event on the 24th of January, even for a few minutes, you will be signalling your support for this work and will be making a real statement about it's value and importance - I would be really grateful if you might consider it. You will also get to see some fantastic work by young people and meet some of the cultural leaders, teachers and professionals that make this work happen across the country. 

Please see full details below.

Yours sincerely,

XXXX

ImagineNation: the value of cultural learning launch
24 January 4-6pm, speeches 4.30pm, Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons

We are delighted to invite you to join the Cultural Learning Alliance and the Rt Hon Ed Vaizey MP, alongside children and teachers from across the country and celebrities including dancer and Strictly judge Darcey Bussell and multi Olivier Award-winning actress Fiona Shaw as we launch ImagineNation: the value of cultural learning.

To secure your place at this event please RSVP to info@culturallearningalliance.org.uk

Best wishes

Lizzie Crump and Samantha Cairns
Co-Directors,
Cultural Learning Alliance