What do Arts Emergency mentees think about the latest proposed cuts to arts education? Here is a thread fresh from our inbox for all of you, and especially @GavinWilliamson to enjoy...

'I think the move to cut the arts is horrendous. It is a part of everything we do, the human experience. It’s deeply upsetting that the government doesn’t value the arts when it has helped many through this time' #artsemergency

'Being creative is about being free. A creative education teaches us how to make our own freedom. The government’s proposal to slash creative funding by 50% is going to affect young people who are learning how to curate their own freedom' #artsemergency

'We must not let this threat materialise. The arts are beyond valuable to life and we must protect and nurture those embarking on creative pathways both at a local level and in our policies’ #artsemergency

'At my state secondary school the art department was the most important place of comfort and refuge for me. In hindsight, my art practice has been unspeakably important to my personal and vocational development' #artsemergency

'I hate to think that less young people can access art and creative ways of thinking because they don't go to a privately funded school or have the existing financial means' #artsemergency

'Art is for everyone. Everyone should be able to express themselves creatively. We cannot lose the progress that has already been made, for the young people who need it most now' #artsemergency

'it is ridiculous they are planning to cut funding again to the arts. As someone who has come through the public education system in the Arts (from Primary to University Level), I can definitely say that is has helped me to find my voice and make a life' #artsemergency

'the Arts add so much to life but I think most importantly ‘escapism’. After all we've been through during these lockdowns the arts have been there for all of us. But when it comes for the Arts themselves being helped, we're cast aside by those in higher places' #artsemergency

'If the cuts do happen it make a hard industry to get into EVEN harder! Widens the divide between social classes and background. Just think how lockdown life would've been without Music/TV/Film/Radio. If we neglect the arts this is the exact way things may go.' #artsemergency

'This is absolutely ridiculous! They cut funding for both this and free school meals to further increase the divide in those who get to break into these careers?! #artsemergency

Find out more about our young talent and our work supporting young artists/thinkers/activists nationally at http://arts-emergency.org/ 

and more incoming...

'I believe the arts are so important, especially for young people, and especially such trying times during the pandemic. The arts are everywhere - from the films we watch, the posters we see, advertisement etc' #artsemergency

'...many young people rely on HE creative courses as one of the only ways to gain access into the creative industries which can be incredibly hard for underrepresented groups. There’s this misconception that the arts are not as important but I believe they are' #artsemergency

'The arts provide escapism, the arts ignite thought-provoking conversation, the arts change minds, the arts allows for creative expression and better mental health. The government cutting funds is suggesting those things don’t matter but they do!' #artsemergency

So pleased you're all reading these and responding. Here are the last one's we'll post tonight, but please keep supporting these amazing young people, when they rise we all rise! https://www.arts-emergency.org/get-involved/join-the-network

'By cutting funding to these fundamental pillars of culture you silence the voices of tomorrow's writers, poets, musicians, artists - and tell us that we do not matter. But the fact is, we do.' #artsemergency

'By cutting funding and ripping away opportunities from the hands of prospective creatives like my peers and I, you are willingly worsening the divide in employment you are "so dedicated" to fix. The arts are sacred, they make us human. We matter.' #artsemergency