Phase 1 of ACA's Early Years (EY) Project

Phase 1 of ACA's Early Years (EY) Project was launched in January 2026. An online Roundtable gathering entitled "Advocating for Early Years Arts: Language, Contexts and Perspectives" offered a platform for sharing and learning across EY arts practices for participants from all four nations of the UK. ACA gathered artists, funders, practitioners, academics and specialists across all creative disciplines for a lively discussion. Our goal was to explore different attitudes, perspectives, creative and funding opportunities and how they differ. We connected as a group with the hope of using this session as a stepping stone for networking, development and further connection; helping to consolidate one voice across the EY sector.

The event was chaired by ACA Trustee and Head of Creative Learning at Young V&A Catherine Ritman-Smith. We invited provocations from the following contributors:

• Sarah Argent - Theatre Director (Specialising in theatre for the very young)
• Nicola Wallis - National Portrait Gallery (Early Years Programme Manager)
• Tommy Small - Shaper/Caper - Dance (Artistic Director)
• Christopher Owens - De Montfort University - Talent 25 Project (Senior Research Programme Manager)

This short gathering, with the excellent provocations presented and the resulting thoughtful breakout discussions all provided ACA with very helpful focus points. Learning from the wisdom that was so wonderfully shared, we observed the following strands to pick up on as possible points of activism for the organisation. As the 'national voice of children's arts', we are determined to be at the forefront of the conversation, fighting for EY arts access and for children's right to play.

Key takeaways included:

• This is truly a four nations conversation, it’s interesting to see the nuances between nations and to see where strength and support is most needed.
• The undervalued status of EY Children, EY Arts and those who work with them and care for them.
• EY work is not an 'add-on' or training areas for ‘real’ work.
• EY children are full cultural citizens with meaningful contributions to make.
• EY Arts as an essential, inclusive, developmental, creative, risk-taking, core social provision offering intersectionality in health, education, arts, creativity and wider social networks.
• Joined-up advocacy is essential to progress.
• One-stop-shop for EY Arts research, opinion, championship is needed.
• Make visible the significance of the work, the impact of the experiences and hold to account the management and the policy makers who undervalue it.

Thanks to all that joined us for this fantastic event.

What's next?

Throughout 2026 this discussion will continue and develop with UK wide Roundtables discussion and art form specific meetings. This will lead to a UK wide conference, to be held in London in summer 2027; watch this space for more details of this event or sign up to the ACA newsletter for monthly updates (you can find our sign up form at the bottom of our home page).