Stevenage Creative Network

Arts Council England funds a network of ten Bridge organisations nationally who use their experience and expertise in England to build on good practice and to broker experiences for children and young people to connect with arts and cultural opportunities.

The Royal Opera House Bridge supported Stevenage schools to set up the Stevenage Creative Network and Woolenwick Infant and Nursery School is the lead agency. Members include Stevenage schools, as well as community partners such as the library, the museum, Junction 7 Creatives and Stevenage Borough Council, Stevenage Regeneration and the Royal Opera House Bridge. 

The minutes from meetings are written as a newsletter which additionally includes updates from schools, and local and national opportunities. The newsletter is circulated to a growing mailing list which includes all Stevenage schools and all partners, regardless of attendance. 

The Stevenage Creative Network is one of many Creative Networks nationally. Our network responds to and aligns with the HCEP (Hertfordshire Cultural Education Partnership) strategy Hertfordshire Cultural Education Partnership – Hertfordshire Cultural Education Partnership (hertscep.org.uk)

Hertfordshire Cultural Education Partnership

Hertfordshire Cultural Education Partnership (HCEP) aims to ensure all young people living and learning in Hertfordshire are accessing a varied and rewarding cultural life.. Supported by Royal Opera House Bridge, and led by the University of Hertfordshire, HCEP brings together partners who aspire to improve the lives of Hertfordshire’s children and young people through access to high quality ...
hertscep.org.uk

Stevenage Borough Council's Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy 

https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-wellbeing/arts-entertainment-and-culture

https://hertscep.org.uk/about/

Arts and Heritage Strategy - Stevenage

The strategy brings together a number of ambitions to build on Stevenage’s unique arts and heritage legacy in recognition of both the economic and social benefits that a strong cultural offer can bring. www.stevenage.gov.uk 

The aim is to bring the voices of education together, to have a shared vision and commitment to raise the profile of arts, culture and heritage in Stevenage, and in doing so, to increase the engagement of children and young people with these areas, ultimately to impact outcomes. This cannot be achieved in isolation. The SCN looks to work collaboratively and also in partnership with Cultural Providers to co-create meaningful opportunities for the children and young people of Stevenage. The network enables new connections and new ideas to grow. 

There is a wealth of research into the impact that the Arts has on all aspects of a person's life. For example, https://culturallearningalliance.org.uk/evidence/key-research-findings-the-case-for-cultural-learning/ 

If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the newsletter or if you are interested in joining the network, please contact the school office.