The Creative Education Challenge!

SPAEDA was honoured to be selected by Arts Council England from over 500 applicants to bring a unique opportunity to Somerset through The Creative Education Challenge. Thanks to the Catalyst Evolve Programme, SPAEDA worked in partnership with school communities across Somerset to engage parents, governors, and local businesses in fundraising efforts aimed at expanding the impact of visual, performing, and media arts for children and young people in the region.

Thanks to the support of the Catalyst Programme, a time-limited match fund of £50,000 was available, matching £1 for £1 any funds raised.

SPAEDA firmly believes that placing the arts and creativity at the heart of education not only supports the well-being of staff and pupils but also provides rich, transformative learning experiences and fosters community cohesion. The arts inspire, engage, and help raise confidence and aspirations, while empowering young people to express themselves in new ways.

As SPAEDA’s Director, Alice Crane, shared, "We believe that all children are entitled to a creative education and access to arts and culture. As a leading arts education charity, we work to maximise children's and young people's engagement with arts and culture, reducing barriers to participation and building confidence and skills in arts leaders."

Throughout the course of the Creative Education Challenge, SPAEDA’s team worked closely with schools to support their aspirations for arts enrichment. Through the Catalyst Evolve Programme, SPAEDA matched school fundraising efforts £1 for £1. Business Manager Lisa Carter described the initiative as “a chance to bring art to the forefront of the curriculum, using the match funding to light a spark in pupils and engage them across all areas of learning.”

The success of the Creative Education Challenge was a testament to the power of the arts to build confidence and skills in young people. Through this programme, SPAEDA worked alongside schools to level the playing field and reduce obstacles to creative education for all students.

Artwork produced by Avalon School, displayed in Spaeda's charity auction.

One of the standout moments of this initiative was the charity art auction held on April 3rd, which raised £2,630 for local schools. On behalf of the SPAEDA team and trustees, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the event. The generosity of all involved will help fund enriching arts activities for school communities across Somerset.

The auction featured incredible work from local artists, including Alice Crane, Linda, Paul and Grace Green, Sara Dudman, Sue Green, and students from Avalon School. The Avalon School artwork, which stemmed from a lunchtime art enterprise club, had unexpected results. The students’ paintings were so impressive that staff began commissioning works, with demand now outpacing supply! Headteacher Alison Murkin commented, "The hugely appreciative responses from people who have purchased paintings are a delight to read and thoroughly affirm the talent of Avalon’s students."

Thanks to everyone’s involvement and support, The Creative Education Challenge continues to inspire and create lasting impacts for students, teachers, and the wider community across Somerset.