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What we do

Our mission is to ignite access to high-quality arts education and grow the skilled, diverse workforce needed to deliver it, especially where social and economic barriers still shape access to opportunity.  

We unlock creativity, artistry and opportunity for every child and young person by connecting them with great teaching and inspiring cultural experiences, wherever they live and learn.  
  
Working with educators and creative professionals, we design programmes that spark curiosity, joy and connection for young people and the adults who inspire them. We open minds and expand possibilities, especially for those whose talent and potential too often go unseen.  

We make this happen by;

  • Connecting educators, artists, and communities to unlock every child’s right to create, imagine and express themselves 
  • Strengthening equity, excellence, access, and inclusion in arts education - so that every child, in every place, can take part and feel they belong 
  • Designing purposeful programmes that respond to real world challenges like inclusion, wellbeing, attendance and belonging 
  • Celebrating what works, challenging what doesn’t, and shaping what’s next in arts education and cultural learning 
  • Opening creative career pathways for young people from working class communities 
  • Building an expert and diverse cultural education workforce, and making sure they’re properly supported 
  • Making the case for arts education as essential to human development and social progress – shaping joyful, curious lives and a fairer, future ready society 

Through our work - connecting sectors, challenging inequity, designing for impact and growing the workforce - we help to make sure that subjects like art and design, dance, drama and music stay central to every child’s education, and that creativity and culture are part of every child’s everyday life and learning.  

Find out more about our work

Programmes

We co-design learning programmes that connect schools, cultural organisations and neighbourhoods — forging powerful partnerships and sparking lasting change. Through bold creative experiences, young people grow their skills, confidence and artistry alongside brilliant teaching artists.

Courses

Our professional learning offer develops curious, courageous leaders and teachers who drive and challenge excellence and equity in arts education and cultural learning. Each course builds the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to create meaningful change - in classrooms, communities and across the system.

School improvement

We work with schools and multi-academy trusts to drive arts-led improvement. Our evidence-informed approach puts powerful arts practice at the heart of the curriculum - lifting attainment, supporting wellbeing and improving attendance. The result? Joyful, creative learning communities where pupils flourish.

Careers and skills

We build creative futures by illuminating pathways into cultural and creative work. Working across education, industry and the arts, we help schools meet Gatsby Benchmarks and support young people to develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need to step into fulfilling creative careers.

Consultancy

Our consultancy helps education and cultural partners understand their impact, amplify their strengths and shape stories that resonate. Whether you're developing strategy, evaluating practice or strengthening partnerships, we offer insight that turns reflection into action.

Chance to See Fund

The Chance to See Fund is a unique partnership between Curious Minds and The Lathums, created to tackle financial barriers that limit access to culture. Rooted in Wigan and driven by a belief in fairness, the fund gives children and young people the chance to take part in powerful creative experiences they might otherwise miss - sparking joy, building confidence and opening the door to future opportunities.

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