Crossing The Line: Extending Young People’s Access to Cultural Venues

J. Harland and K. Kinder (eds.)

Commissioned by the Gulbenkian Foundation and the Arts Council of England, this book looks at ways to widen young people’s access to cultural venues. The purpose of the report is to open up the issue and encourage more debate, research and action. It proposes that in order to develop effective strategies for extending young people’s access to cultural venues, it is first necessary to conduct an analysis of the problems involved. This report intends to be a first step in that direction.

The report reviews policy papers, literature and research evidence on the subject, as well as examining current initiatives designed to increase young people’s attendance at cultural venues. There is also a section which records young people’s accounts of accessing cultural venues, which gives direct insight into the problem.

According to the report, attendance at galleries and cultural events decreases during the adolescent years, so that mid-teens are associated with particularly low levels of audience involvement. Physical and psychological barriers, gender and background are some of the factors that prevent young people from attending cultural venues. Furthermore, it is argued that young people felt that these cultural venues and what they have to offer do not appear to be relevant to them.

The report asks how venues, schools and others can help young people to consider a wider spectrum of cultural experience, and therefore be able to make informed choices. A potential strategy that is considered is the concept of 'cultural mentors'. The report strongly advocates the need for further research into the patterns of young people’s attendance to cultural venues, as well as the need for more long-term evaluation on the impact of initiatives designed to promote wider youth access to art and culture.

1999, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, London, ISBN 0 903319 91 8

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