Why do some children get brilliant arts education and others get almost none? Prof Anne Bamford OBE has spent 20 years finding out. Her UNESCO research became The Wow Factor, and her new book, The HOW Factor, looks at what it actually takes to fix it. inconversationannebamford.eventbrite.co.uk

If we know arts and culture can transform education, why isn't every child benefiting? Join Professor Anne Bamford OBE, whose landmark international research for UNESCO became The Wow Factor, in conversation with Curious Minds CEO Derri Burdon. Book here: inconversationannebamford.eventbrite.co.uk

TWO WEEKS TO GO! In just two weeks, we’ll be gathering at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester for The National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026! Hosted by the brilliant Jayde Adams, the NACE Awards take place October 21st 2026. Book your place: bit.ly/NACEAwards2026

Buy tickets – The National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026 – Royal Northern College of Music

The National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026 – Royal Northern College of Music, Wed 21 Oct 2026 - Celebrating arts, culture, and creativity for young people, in and out of school. The…

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What does this social media ban mean for your work? We are hosting an online roundtable bringing together researchers, arts orgs, teachers, and young people to discuss the impact of the social media ban. Book your spot: socialmediabanroundtable.eventbrite.co.uk

We've never been so pleased to see so much scaffolding! After years of planning, work is now underway on the refurbishment of Pier 2 at Wigan Pier, creating a new home for Curious Minds and a major new hub for arts and cultural education.

As schools face increasing pressure on time, budgets and resources, the value of learning beyond the classroom has never been more important to understand.

School trips are more than a day out. They're a vital part of a child's education, opening up access to arts, culture and new experiences that can shape futures.

Beyond the classroom: making school trips count

Learn how Clore Duffield Foundation’s School Trips Grant and Curious Minds’ specialist CPD are helping schools plan ambitious, creative and impactful educational visits.

curiousminds.org.uk

❓️ What happens when you start opening doors for the next generation of emerging talent? We'll be exploring the answer to this question in our upcoming The Hour: Spotlight session with ERIC Co-Founder Mae Yip. Register to join and be part of the conversation: thehourspotlightsep26.eventbrite.co.uk

There is an exciting opportunity to join our marketing team on a fixed-term contract, providing maternity cover for our Communications Manager. The deadline for applying for this role is 9am on Monday, 31 August 2026. Apply and find out more here: www.curiousminds.org.uk/comms-manage...

Vacancy: Communications Manager (Maternity cover)

We're looking for an experienced communications professional to join our nationally recognised, values-driven arts education charity at an exciting moment in its journey.

curiousminds.org.uk

We are excited to welcome Mae Yip, Co-Founder of ERIC, for an honest conversation about building opportunities for young people. 🗓️ Thursday, 24th September 2026 🕛️ 12pm to 1pm Don't miss out: thehourspotlightsep26.eventbrite.co.uk

Writing in The Times, Education Secretary Lucy Powell has signalled major changes to how schools teach, arguing that a "one-size-fits-all" system built around traditional subjects has left a generation of children behind. Read our response here: www.curiousminds.org.uk/our-response...

What last made you feel curious? In the third blog accompanying his PhD research journey, Saul Argent explores curiosity, its history, and how it relates to education. To read, please go to: www.curiousminds.org.uk/the-curious-...

We are thrilled to share that we have been shortlisted for the Power in Practice Award at National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026. The awards hosted by @curiousminds.org.uk shine a light on best practice and innovation in the field of creative and cultural learning.

We're excited to share that you can now sample our Curiosity Outside the Classroom - School Trips & Visits training online. Spark curiosity in your students by delivering brilliant school trips and visits

🚨 Last chance to apply! 🚨 Teachers, you have until 24 July for Leading the Arts in Your School. This CPD programme designed for early and mid-career educators who want to champion creativity, culture and the arts across their school.

Announcing our finalists! The quality of entries for this year's National Arts and Cultural Education Awards was exceptionally high, making the panels' job no easy task. You can see the full list here: www.curiousminds.org.uk/finalists-na... Been nominated? Please let us know!

The Finalists of the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026

Announcing the finalists of the 2026 National Arts and Cultural Education Awards. A shortlist of wonderful organisations, projects and people from across the UK who are doing incredible work for…

curiousminds.org.uk

Curious Minds and colleagues from The University of Salford visited Dr Salisbury & Amina Atiq's Year 10 Rhyme & Reason group to record a podcast following the completion of the Rhyme & Reason project, to hear reflections on their experiences during the workshops. The young people had a blast!

What makes facilitation truly successful? Teresa Baggaley, Head of Learning & Development at Curious Minds, explores the State of Facilitation 2026 report and argues that great facilitation is about more than positive feedback.

Two Thursdays. Two conversations. 16 July - The Hour: Connect: thehourconnectjuly26.eventbrite.co.uk 30 July - The Hour: Spotlight with WCCD: thehourspotlightjuly26.eventbrite.co.uk Free, online sessions for creatives working with children & young people. Connect, reflect, and be inspired.

What an incredible privilege to spend 2 inspiring days w/ our new SLiCE® Fellowship cohort at their residential, bringing together passionate leaders from education + the cultural sector to explore the future of cultural ed. Find out more about SLiCE® : www.curiousminds.org.uk/slice-fellow...

Meet our Awards host…Jayde Adams! We are so excited to announce that the wonderful Jayde Adams will be hosting the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026! Join us at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on Wednesday 21 October. Book your tickets now: bit.ly/NACEAwards2026

One month left to apply! ⏰️ Teachers, would you like to bring more creativity, culture and arts into the school day? Do you want to see how creative approaches can boost learning right across your curriculum? Do you believe every child deserves a rich, imaginative education?

Our next Scribbles Learning Network meeting is coming up! 30 Jun, 1-3pm, Manchester Art Gallery Are you an early years practitioner based in the North West looking to connect with peers? Join us to connect and discuss all things early years education.

1 day to go to nominate yourself or somebody else for the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026. If you've been considering a nomination, now is the time to get that submission in. Don't miss out: www.curiousminds.org.uk/nace-awards-...

2 days to nominate for the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards. Celebrating arts, culture and creativity for young people, in and out of school. Deadline for nominations is midday (12:00pm) on Monday 15th June 2026. No late entries will be accepted. www.curiousminds.org.uk/nace-awards-...

The National Arts and Cultural Education Awards shine a light on best practice and innovation in the field of creative and cultural learning, wherever it is happening. Just 3 days left to nominate! Deadline is midday (12:00pm) on Monday 15th June 2026: www.curiousminds.org.uk/nace-awards-...

Ydych chi'n byw yng Nghymru ac yn gwneud gwaith anhygoel ym maes addysg gelfyddydol a diwylliannol? 🧡

4 days left to nominate for the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards. Deadline for nominations is midday (12:00pm) on Monday 15th June 2026. No late entries will be accepted: www.curiousminds.org.uk/nace-awards-...

5 days to nominate for the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards. Celebrating arts, culture and creativity for young people, in and out of school. Deadline for nominations is midday (12:00pm) on Monday 15th June 2026. No late entries will be accepted: bit.ly/4uVhOPd

Nominations close in 10 days! We know that brilliant and innovative people and projects are using art and creativity to make a real, lasting impact on the lives of young people everywhere in the UK. Please nominate them today: bit.ly/43dAk9g