Patron lends words of support

Chris Smith, Lord of Finsbury, and Director of the Clore Leadership Programme has endorsed the work of ENYAN, saying:

“There are few things more inspiring than ensuring that all young people get the best possible opportunities to engage in and enjoy the arts. Not only does ENYAN help directly in this process, but also serves to encourage the rest of us to remember how important this objective is.”

When asked ‘Why do we need ENYAN?’ Chris replied…

“I think one of the things that organisations like this can do is to keep the rest of us on our toes. Remind us of why it’s important, develop new ways of making sure that young people can engage in the arts, keep the pressure on politicians, on arts organisations, on the broad spread of what one might call the cultural establishment. To make sure that we don’t forget the importance of young people in the picture. So an organisation like this has an extremely important role to play, not just what it in itself is doing but in helping to keep everyone else actively involved and engaged.”

Chris Smith became Patron of ENYAN at the start of 2006, having supported the work of Artswork at the ‘eight’ event (the UK’s first youth arts professional development event) in 2004 and launching the Youth Arts Directory in 2005.

An active advocate for the arts, and a passionate supporter of the use of the arts with children and young people Lord Smith was also integral in the setting up of the Arts Council’s Creative Partnerships scheme.

Lord Smith was a Labour councillor for Islington Borough for five years, and chairman of housing from 1981 to 1983. In 1983 he became MP for Islington South and Finsbury and in 1992 joined the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Environmental Protection. When Labour came to power in 1997 he became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, returning to the back benches after the 2001 election, where he retained his commitment to the arts and heritage.

Lord Smith is currently Director of the Clore Leadership Programme, an initative of the Clore Duffield Foundation, with the aim to train and develop a new generation of leaders for the cultural sector in the UK, through an individual programme of work, research, training and secondment, designed to develop leadership skills and experience.

Amongst other areas of work, he is also Chairman of the Wordsworth Trust, Chairman of the Donmar Warehouse, a member of the board of the National Theatre, Chairman of Classic FM’s consumer panel, and is on the advisory council of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Lord Smith remained MP for Islington South and Finsbury until the 2005 election when he stepped down after 22 years. He was given a peerage in June 2005.

ENYAN are delighted to continue working with Lord Smith as Patron of ENYAN.