Portsmouth Cultural Education Partnership CIC secures funding
Portsmouth Cultural Education Partnership CIC (PCEP) is delighted to announce it has been awarded over £55,000 in funding to launch an ambitious new creative education project across the city.
With generous support from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grant (£50,000), Portsmouth City Council (£2,000) and Portsmouth Creates (£3,000), the project will bring inspiring, high-quality cultural experiences to pupils at Castle View Academy, Ark Charter Academy, and The Portsmouth Academy, along with their feeder primary schools.
Designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, support well-being and enhance learning outcomes, the programme will see schools working together with local creative partners to deliver a vibrant mix of creative activities- from visual arts and music, to heritage and performance.
Anne Appelbaum, Director Children & Young People for Arts Council England said: “We’re thrilled to award a National Lottery Project Grant to the Portsmouth Cultural Education Partnership, to support creative opportunities for children and young people in the area. Through new collaborations between schools, artists and local organisations, this network will empower the next generation to not only participate, but influence and take ownership of cultural activities, encouraging imagination, self-expression and critical thinking. We look forward to hearing about the benefits this project will bring to Portsmouth – a place of strategic importance to the Arts Council.”
Each school partnership will be supported by a lead Creative Partner who will curate a bespoke programme tailored to the needs of their pupils. These are Aspex Portsmouth, Fratton Together with St Mary’s Church and The Guildhall Trust. These lead hubs will utilise the city’s array of creative practitioners and organisations, with the project aiming to enhance the cultural education offer available to local young people.
Portsmouth Cultural Education Partnership CIC is a consortium made up of cultural and heritage organisations, schools, and freelance creatives, working together to improve access to arts and culture for children and young people in Portsmouth. The partnership is committed to ensuring that every young person in the city has the opportunity to engage with high-quality cultural experiences, regardless of their background.
“This project is about listening to what schools and young people are telling us they need and responding with creativity and collaboration. It’s not just about delivering arts activities; it’s about building relationships and making space for young people’s voices. We believe every child deserves to feel inspired, have space to explore creativity and be supported to be creators, and this funding helps us take a big step towards that as a city.” Hayley Reay, PCEP Co-Chair.
This exciting initiative comes at a time when schools are looking for support to strengthen and expand their creative provision. By connecting education with the city’s vibrant cultural sector, the project aims to open up new opportunities for young people to express themselves, develop valuable skills, and experience the joy of the arts.
“This project is a fantastic example of how we can work together to give young people in Portsmouth the chance to thrive through creativity. By supporting cultural education in our schools, we’re helping to build confidence, skills, and ambition for the future.” Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council
This investment marks a bold step forward in ensuring every child in Portsmouth has access to the transformative power of creativity.