‘I want us to be loud’: Arts Council England’s new chair aims to reconnect young people with culture

In first interview since starting job – and after visiting school where arts are central – Dawn Airey says she wants to fix ‘shocking’ lack of access

Only half of children in England have been to a museum or the theatre in the past year, while three-quarters have not been to an art gallery, research shows.

Dawn Airey, the new chair of Arts Council England, said the figures were “shocking” but also “an amazing opportunity to ensure they do have that experience to enrich their lives”.