CapeUK in partnership with Hull College Group (HCUK) will play a key strategic role in supporting the Arts Council’s ambitions in Yorkshire and the Humber, giving every child and young person the opportunity to experience the richness of the arts.
 
CapeUK is a strong, enterprising and creative organisation which has been supporting children and young people to experience and create within the arts for over 12 years – with a national and international reach, rooted in outstanding practice on the ground in Yorkshire and the North West. 
 
Arts Council England’s summary of assessments states that; ‘CapeUK already demonstrate strong partnerships regionally…  respected nationally and internationally, and as such is well-placed to take up a strategic role.  The proposal demonstrates vision, an understanding of the challenges faced and an ability to inspire confidence from both arts and education sectors.’
 
CapeUK (based in Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester) submitted their application to the National portfolio funding programme in a strategic partnership with the Hull College Group (HCUK) at the end of January 2011.  The application demonstrated how CapeUK’s expertise could help to fulfill the goals set out by Arts Council England’s 10-year strategic framework, Achieving great art for everyone.  
 
As well as becoming a strategic children and young people’s organisation (SCYPO), CapeUK will also contribute to other Arts Council England goals 'developing arts opportunities for people and places with the least engagement' and 'creating equal opportunities to enter the arts workforce.'
 
CapeUK will continue to nurture collaborative relationships with and between agencies, arts and cultural organisations, schools, colleges, universities and youth and community organisations building on strong experiences such as Creative Partnerships, North West Arts Learning Consortium, Arts Award and Leeds Find Your Talent.
 
Pat Cochrane, Chief Executive, CapeUK; “We are delighted with the news of our successful application to build a better future for children and young people by enhancing their lives, extending the opportunities open to them and enabling them to be creative and fulfilled individuals.  We will do this by promoting and developing creative learning opportunities for children and young people and those who work with them. 
 
“With the joint expertise of CapeUK and Hull College we are in a unique position to understand, interpret and respond to a climate of considerable uncertainty and change which is having a profound impact on the context in which we are working.
 
“CapeUK will continue to work collaboratively with arts and cultural sector organisations and local authorities, to achieve great outcomes for children, young people, artists and communities.”