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Curious Minds

5,528
children and young people directly engaged with arts and culture through innovative projects that model next and best practice
190
organisations have benefitted from our training and courses, designed to upskill the sector to bring more art and culture to children and young people
530
engagements with freelance creatives through our Curious Creatives Network, including attendance at networking, knowledge sharing and spotlight events dedicated to inclusive and excellent practice.

Curious Minds activity across 2025-26

The Fire Within: The Forge, Wigan

The National Arts & Cultural Education Awards 2026

Date: 21st October 2026
Location: Royal Northern College of Music, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 1RD

I'm curious about your work with...

The education sector

We work shoulder to shoulder with schools to put arts and culture at the heart of learning. From teacher training to creative partnerships, we help schools unlock imagination, raise aspirations and give every child the chance to flourish.

The cultural sector

We work with cultural organisations and teaching artists to open up creative opportunities for young people. From bold partnerships with schools to programmes led with care and imagination, we help you put learning, inclusion and artistry at the centre of your work.

Creative & Cultural

Young people

We walk alongside young people as they shape their creative futures - building skills, finding mentors and discovering careers in the arts and culture that feel possible, purposeful and real.

Current programmes

Specialist Leaders in Cultural Education Fellowship CPD (SLiCE®)

An 18-month Fellowship bringing together senior school and arts leaders for systemic change in cultural education.

Education School Improvement Leadership Training & CPD

Rhyme and Reason

A creative wellbeing programme for secondary schools which utilises the art of poetry to boost wellbeing in children and young people

Education Young People Creative Wellbeing Programmes

Curiosity Outside the Classroom

Spark curiosity in your students through great trips and visits that extend and enrich creative learning

School Improvement Training & CPD

Upcoming events & courses

The Hour

A bi-monthly, one-hour gathering for artists, educators, producers, creative and cultural workers.

For Everyone

Thu 24 Sep 12:00 - 13:00

Book now

A young girl walking down a sandy corridor leaving behind footprints.

Scribbles Learning Network

Exploring the arts in early childhood

For Early Years practitioners

Fri 27 Mar - Fri 2 Oct

Book now

People clapping

The National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026

Celebrating arts, culture and creativity for young people, in and out of school.

For everyone

Wed 21 Oct 13:00 - 18:00

Book now

Latest news & opinion

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.

Our response to Lucy Powell’s recent comments on the future of learning and education reforms

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. Our CEO Derri Burdon and Sally Bacon, Co-Chair of the Cultural Learning Alliance, respond.

The Curious Incident of the Artist in the Classroom

In this third blog accompanying his PhD research journey, Saul Argent explores curiosity, it's history, and how it relates to education.

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 children and young people.

The gap between an inspiring session and real change

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. It’s about designing for change, demonstrating impact and creating outcomes that last beyond the session.

Announcing: Jayde Adams as the host of the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards

We are so excited to announce that the wonderful Jayde Adams will be hosting the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026!   Comedian, actor, writer, singer and Bristol's unofficial ambassador, Jayde is living proof of what happens when working-class talent finds its stage.

SLiCE® Case Study Naomi Lord

Director of Creative Learning & Partnerships at Bolton School, Naomi Lord reflects on her experience of becoming a SLiCE Fellow as part of the 2019/20 cohort.

NACE Awards 2026 Partnership Opportunities

Be part of something brilliant. We’re looking for corporate partners to support the National Arts and Cultural Education Awards 2026, celebrating the incredible people and organisations helping children and young people to flourish through arts and culture.

Belonging begins somewhere

When we talk about children and young people’s mental health, we often talk about support systems, services, interventions, referrals. What we talk about less, but what young people consistently show us matters, is belonging. Children’s Mental Health Week. Theme: This is My Place

SLiCE® Case Study David Wearing 

We hear from Specialist Leaders in Cultural Education (SLiCE®) Fellow and Headteacher David Wearing. He shares how the programme sparked a shift in his leadership, deepened partnerships and embedded cultural learning at the heart of school life.

New Short Film: When we create, we reconnect

We're incredibly proud to share a beautiful new short film we’ve created, which shines a light on the vital work we do helping children and young people to flourish through arts and culture.

Artsmark Week Blog: Beyond the Badge

How can rural schools overcome barriers to arts access? Discover how the Artsmark framework helped schools in Cumbria take small steps toward big change.

Remembering Paul Collard

Paul was a man who had an unquestionably significant impact on arts education and cultural learning. Because of Paul, in England alone more than a million children and young people had a creative education and we know his work will continue to send ripples across the globe.

A new chapter for arts education

From oracy and critical thinking to creative expression, the Government's reformed curriculum promises high standards and broad horizons.

Creating Wellbeing

Every October, World Mental Health Day invites us to pause and reflect on how we nurture wellbeing, for ourselves, for others, and for the communities we serve. At Curious Minds, we’ve learned that creativity is one of the most powerful tools we have for doing exactly that.