Key Findings
Key Findings 2024/25
Last year our Key Findings were all about the benefits of the work for the young people and the galleries. While we have four sets of detailed Key Findings this year, they are focused across three areas:
1. The context for the projects
- Need: the Mildred Fund’s three-year funding connects galleries, artists, schools, and community groups around the needs of young people in a challenging socio-economic and geo-political context.
- Consistent, frequent interaction and engagement through art has helped to develop a series of capabilities and benefits after a period of pandemic isolation and in a context of the erosion of the arts in schools since 2010.
- Important capabilities: engaging in the Fund’s programmes enables young people to be heard, to develop agency, collaboration, communication and a sense of belonging.
2. The process for projects
- Inclusion is vital co-production develops agency, and inclusivity redefines progress to include small shifts, in attendance, quiet engagement, or trying something new.
- Attentiveness is key giving close, thoughtful attention to young people, enabling them to feel seen, heard, and trusted.
- Impact is built through long-term relationships; flexible approaches and ongoing reflection.
The outcomes of the projects
- Art is transformative: a range of different art activities provide safety, agency, and new ways for young people to express themselves and connect with others.
- Wellbeing is both an individual and collective outcome, balancing personal aspects (focus, calm, agency) with social aspects (connection, collaboration, sense of community).
- Creative confidence and belonging: all projects displayed increases in self-confidence, a sense of belonging, and social/creative connections for young people.
Important capabilities: engaging in the Fund’s programmes enables young people to be heard, to develop agency, collaboration, communication and a sense of belonging.
news
05.2026
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