Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage more young people in rural communities to pursue careers in the arts.

Arts Council England works closely with stakeholders to engage young people in rural areas. Working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the Arts Council undertook a data and evidence review to identify strengths and challenges of the arts sector in rural England. Key findings from the report published in March 2015 were:

· People living in rural areas are more likely to be engaged with the arts than those living in urban areas (Taking Part Survey*)

· 19% of Grants for the Arts** activity; and 35% of National Portfolio Organisation*** touring in 2012/13 reached rural communities

· Applicants from rural areas made 13% of individual Grants for the Arts applications and 14% of organisational applications in the 2.5 years to August 2014.

*The Taking Part survey collects data on many aspects of leisure, culture and sport in England, as well as an in-depth range of socio-demographic information on respondents. In respect of the Arts, data is collected about the reasons for participating and not participating, barriers to participation, and the frequency of participation are also collected.

** Grants for the arts is the Arts Council's Lottery-funded grant programme for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. Grants are available for activities carried out over a set period and which engage people in England in arts activities and help artists and arts organisations in England carry out their work.

***National Portfolio Organisations receive regular funding directly from the Arts Council.