BBC criticised for closing youth creativity website
Emily Watson
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The BBC has been criticised for its decision to close BBC Blast, a network dedicated to encouraging creativity in young people.
BBC Blast is a website for young people aged 13 to 19 with creative interests. It offers ways for readers to get involved in workshops, work experience and projects in the creative industry.
But Creativity, Culture & Education (CCE), a national organisation funded by Arts Council England, which runs the government's creative learning programme for schools questioned the move.
According to CCE research, less than half of secondary school children say they know enough about the range of careers open to them in the creative and cultural industries.
CCE chief executive Paul Collard said: "It's a real shame that BBC Blast is set to change because it is important that young people have more support to explore their talents.
"Through the creative learning programme, we have collaborated with BBC Blast on its annual tour to ensure that young people from all backgrounds are engaged. This demonstrates how the BBC can work powerfully with partners to connect the national with the local in order to provide a valuable service to all young people from across the country."
The BBC announced the closure of the website this week in line with its plans to cut the corporation's output.