Creative Partnerships is expected to generate nearly £4 billion positive benefit for the economy
14 Sep 2010
New independent research from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) reveals that Creative Partnerships, the government's flagship creative learning programme for schools, is expected to generate nearly £4 billion net positive benefit for the UK economy.
This is the equivalent of £15.30 of economic benefits for every £1 of investment in Creative Partnerships (www.creative-partnerships.com). The report entitled, ‘The Costs and Benefits of Creative Partnerships’ was commissioned by national charity Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE) to analyze how its work with learners, parents, schools and teachers has impacted on the wider UK economy.
Creative Partnerships, which is managed nationally by CCE, was launched in 2002 to foster innovative long-term partnerships between schools and creative professionals, including artists, performers, architects, multimedia developers and scientists. These partnerships inspire young people, teachers and creative professionals to challenge how they work and experiment with new ideas. To date the programme has worked with over 1 million young people in over 5,000 schools and has engaged over 90,000 teachers in local arts education projects. Other independent research has already shown the impact the programme has on attainment with young people who have attended Creative Partnerships activities making, on average the equivalent of 2.5 grades better progress in GCSE (NFER).
PricewaterhouseCoopers has analysed CCE’s existing large-scale national evidence, using analysis consistent with the Treasury's "Green Book", around the impact of the programme to inform its research. PwC also considered impacts of the programme such as the premium associated by gaining five good GCSEs, the avoided social costs of crime and truancy and the improved teacher morale from being involved in Creative Partnerships leading to higher retention rates.
Paul Collard, Chief Executive of Creativity, Culture and Education, said: "In this tough economic climate, with every penny of public money under pressure, and the need to prove that investment yields results, it is vital that decisions are made on the evidence of what works. This independent report builds on our rich research base to show the real economic impact of the investment in the Creative Partnerships programme."
He continues, "Through programmes like Creative Partnerships, children are able to gain real and tangible benefits from working with artists on creative and cultural projects. Children who have been exposed to the arts are far more likely to continue with these as adults, enriching the quality of their lives. In addition, learning with artists through the creative process helps them to develop the ability to question, make connections, innovate and reflect critically. Developing these skills early in life through creativity in schools enriches the lives of young people while also meeting the requirements of contemporary employers and benefiting the wider economy."
Please visit www.creativitycultureeducation.org/pwcreport.html for a copy of the 'The Costs and Benefits of Creative Partnerships’ report by PwC. For more information about CCE and Creative Partnerships follow @CCEinsights on Twitter.
