Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley is to be one of the speakers at a Derby Theatre conference on how arts and culture are making a positive impact on the lives of young people in care.
The event will bring together cultural and care sectors to explore a range of approaches that are creating positive outcomes for young people.
Henley said, “experiencing and being inspired by great art and culture can enrich the lives of young people in countless ways, from building skills and work experience to creating safe spaces to talk and create.
“I’m delighted to be joining Derby Theatre’s conference to help highlight the important role the arts play in supporting and creating positive futures for young people. It’s a fantastic opportunity for arts practitioners, policy makers and professionals to come together and celebrate the contribution the arts make to the lives of our young people.”
The conference will be held on Tuesday 30 October. Curious Monkey Theatre Company will present extracts from Leaving by Paddy Campbell. This verbatim play tells the stories of people who live and work in the care system, exploring the pivotal moment when they leave care to live independently.
Young people from Derby’s Plus One project, an initiative to provide free arts experiences for children in care and care leavers, will also perform.
Conference places can be booked by calling the box office on 01332 593939 or at the Derby Theatre web site.