On Friday 7 July the Chair of the Arts Council England Sir Nicholas Serota chose to visit Z-arts to find out more about our creative arts events and activities for children and families.

During the visit Sir Nicholas met with families at the weekly Lego Cafe and young people developing a film as part of Clapperboard, a weekly workshop focused on learning new digital skills. He also made his mark on the Z-arts Giving Tree with his own handprint!

The visit came at an important time in Z-arts’ own artistic development, having only been awarded Arts Council National Portfolio status on the 27 June. Commenting on the new status, Z-arts Chief Executive Liz O’Neill commented:

“It’s heart-warming that ACE recognise Z-arts as “an organisation of regional / national significance… delivering a high quality engagement work and talent development within CYP. As well as our partner artists, we would like to thank our audiences and visitors.  It’s comments like “I’m just blown away by the quality of the performances” that help us reach this moment. And thanks to Arts Council England for the recognition.  It’s an honour to represent the children and young people arts sector.  We won’t let you (or them) down.”

After joining the Arts Council as Chair in February, Sir Nicholas commented: “I’m an unequivocal champion of the benefits of public investment; the creative freedom of artists and institutions, and the arms-length principle.”

Prior to joining the Arts Council Sir Nicholas Serota is credited with not only turning Tate into one of the world’s most successful art brands, but also for radically changing the British public’s relationship with culture, ushering in an unexpected (and at times tempestuous) love affair with contemporary art.