Our work with the University of Nottingham around the stories of ex employees of Raleigh, and the creation of our touring community show ‘A Lifetime Guarantee’, is featured in this book that will be published next month and which brings together leading writers on Arts in Education to provide an authoritative guide to the main debates in the field and an informed account of contemporary developments in policy and practice.

As the blurb goes on to say ‘Providing a detailed overview of key concepts and practical challenges, the book combines theoretical insight with specific examples of innovative projects drawing on theoretical, historical and empirical research perspectives to inform understanding. The range of content highlights the breadth of the field, addressing such issues as the importance of community arts and partnership as well as school education, and providing insight into developments in multiple and connecting arts as well as traditional art forms. Topics such as assessment, creativity, cultural diversity, special needs, the arts in early childhood, adult education, arts based research, are all addressed by recognised authorities in each area. The collection of chapters also serves to define the field of arts education, recognising its diversity but highlighting the common elements that provide its identity.

The collection addresses generic issues common to all the arts while acknowledging differences and recognising the dangers of over-generalisation. It also includes specific chapters on each of the art forms (visual art, dance, drama, literature, music, media arts) providing a cutting-edge analysis of key contemporary issues in each subject.

Bringing together specially commissioned pieces by a range of international authors, this Handbook will make an important contribution to the field of Arts Education’.

You can pre-order a copy here, but as it’s £125 you may just want to wait for us to post up the article for free as soon as we can.