Quotes from Parliamentarians
CDMT is immensely proud of all of its interactions with Parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The following highlight their positive feedback.
Baroness Wilcox of Newport
CDMT Chair and Shadow Spokesperson for Education in the House of Lords
“The CDMT Accredited Schools are an exceptional source of talented young performing artists who have benefitted from outstanding vocational training, preparing them for success in the sector. The Accredited Schools’ dedication to excellence through high numbers of contact hours, incomparable links with the profession and opportunities to perform to a world-class standard ensure that their graduates achieve success in the performing arts.
Whatever policy decisions are made for the wider industry in the future, including for theatres and performance companies, equal consideration must also be made of the assistance needed to secure the existing ‘pipeline’ of highly trained future professionals on which the sector relies.
As someone who taught performing arts for over 30 years at the beginning of this pipeline I can only urge that this tap of emerging talent is never switched off especially for youngsters in underrepresented groups in the industry.”
Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Longest serving UK Minister for Culture
“It is widely acknowledged that participating in dance, drama, music and musical theatre activities offers a valuable creative outlet, which positively impacts on physical and mental well-being, the development of confidence and resilience, and a chance to engage with other people who share the same interests.
CDMT does significant work to ensure that the opportunities for young people to engage with the performing arts are supported, to not only encourage their aspirations for achievement, but also to provide meaningful connections to industry.”
Anna McMorrin MP
Shadow Minister for Justice and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Performing Arts Education and Training
“CDMT does outstanding work, advocating powerfully on behalf of members, increasing their public profile and influence with key industry and political stakeholders – not least in their work as the Secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Performing Arts Education and Training.
As the voice of their member organisations, they promote outstanding industry-approved institutions allowing prospective students, candidates and parents to better understand what excellent provision in the performing arts looks like.”
Baroness Featherstone
Member of the Communications and Digital Committee
“The CDMT Validated Awarding Organisations, and their networks of dedicated teachers, make an enormous contribution towards young people starting their journeys in the performing arts, through the preparation for Graded Examinations. Graded Exams offer a progressive pathway to achievement, combining practical skills with technical knowledge, and are a global standard of attainment in dance, music, drama and musical theatre.
The Graded Exams model, combined with the expertise of teachers associated with CDMT’s Validated Awarding Organisations, inspires young people to achievement and advancement in the performing arts, which in turn boosts confidence and overall wellbeing, having a huge impact on many other areas of life. Further, Grades 6 to 8 in music, dance, drama and theatre, and Intermediate and Advanced Foundation examinations in dance are included in the UCAS Tariff.”
Sharon Hodgson MP
Formerly Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition and previously Shadow Minister for Defence and Health
“CDMT’s role at the heart of the UK performing arts sector, as an authoritative provider of quality assurance, go-to source of reliable information, and passionate and influential advocate on behalf of the professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations it serves is vital.
Its members offer industry progression routes that are at once reliable and inspirational, and enable everyone, regardless of background or economic circumstance, to experience the benefits, indeed the joy, that engagement in the arts brings to individuals and communities.
That’s why the APPG for Performing Arts Education and Training, together with the CDMT, strives to ensure improved government attention at all stages of teaching and learning in the performing arts, with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at the forefront of our thinking.”