LETTER TO EDITOR

MARCH 2004

Dear Editor

My name is Harry Enfield and I’m seriously concerned.

The creative future of Britain is under threat.   Schoolteachers today are struggling to find time to fit arts subjects into a crowded national curriculum.

A recent survey showed that despite creative industries being worth more than £67 billion a year to our national economy, 80 per cent of UK teachers are hard-pushed to find time for the arts.   This means thousands of schoolchildren receive only a rudimentary introduction to the creative world.  

Which is where Big Arts Week comes in and why I’m delighted to support it.   This national project has over the past two years enabled over 100,000 children to enjoy a rewarding creative experience in the classroom.

We match local and regional artists prepared to volunteer their time and share their skills to inspire children in primary and secondary schools. Big Arts Week 2004 runs from June 21 to 25 and this is a plea to my fellow artists around the country to get involved.

And when I say artists, I don’t just mean the obvious.   Certainly, we need dancers, actors and painters but we also want architects, graphic designers, acrobats, jewellery makers, journalists, cake decorators.   The list is endless as there is so much in our day-to-day lives that we take for granted but for which a real artistic talent is required.

The more people we have to help inspire a new generation the better. And we need all levels, from recently qualified graduates to high-profile professionals and everyone in between.

I can't think of a better way to stimulate the talent of tomorrow than by introducing them to the talent of today and that's exactly what Big Arts Week does.   It encourages artists into schools to share their knowledge.   I urge all artists to get involved – I am.

To get involved, please visit www.bigartsweek.com , email info@bigartsweek.com or call 020 7654 0023, by FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2004.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Harry Enfield