Children and Young People’s Engagement in Creative and Cultural Activities

The ESRI has agreed a new research programme with the Department of Education and Youth, Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The objective of the programme will be to enhance knowledge of the nature, inclusiveness, and impact of participation of children and young people in creative and cultural activities. Centred on the role of children and young people in decision making and the inclusion of seldom-heard groups, the research will provide an understanding of who participates, how participation is experienced, and how it can be made more equitable and meaningful. The programme uses mixed methods approaches, combining detailed analyses of Creative Youth project and programme data, national survey data, and primary research with creative practitioners, project coordinators, young participants and parents across a diversity of creative programmes within and outside school settings. The findings will provide insights into the impact of the Creative Youth Plan and will seek to inform policy development on providing access to creative engagement for children and young people.