Notting Hill Carnival Strategic Review - Intelligent Space

Part IV: The Value of Carnival
Summary
The true value of the Notting Hill Carnival, in social, economic and cultural terms, has received little
recognition in the past. Members of the wider carnival arts community have consistently expressed
their growing disappointment at the way in which the Notting Hill Carnival has been portrayed in the
media and the lack of recognition afforded to them for the cultural and artistic development and
educational work that they undertake within schools and their communities. This section:
• Describes the Notting Hill Carnival as a ‘community of interest’ – people linked together by a
shared vision and concern. The history of the Carnival clearly demonstrates how, in adverse
conditions, a cultural event became a vehicle for community self-help, a movement towards
self-sufficiency, empowerment, participation and involvement;
• Offers a definition of the ‘carnival arts’ as emanating from the cultural traditions of Africa,
Latin America and the Caribbean. It argues that from a variety of perspectives, the carnival
arts is extremely valuable in promoting new ideas and multicultural awareness within the
classroom and in higher education;
• Provides rich examples of the social, cultural, human and intellectual capital that has always
existed within the Notting Hill Carnival and the wider carnival arts industry; and
• Examines the ‘business of Carnival’ and its significant economic contribution and potential. It
argues for a fairer assessment of an event that generated £93 million in 2002 and offers an
analysis of how this economic potential can be harnessed to ensure that the Carnival is able to
into a truly independent and sustainable festival.
Recommendations
19. There is no doubt that the social and educational value of the Notting Hill Carnival, through its
promotion of the carnival art form has been significant. The work of carnival arts-related
organisations and groups is demonstrative of the positive contributions that they have been
making in the areas of educational enrichment and achievement. This work continues to be
overlooked and we therefore believe that a more detailed study should be conducted into the
educational potential and benefits of the Carnival Arts, together with the possible linkages that
could be made to existing curricular and lifelong learning programmes. Such a study could be
funded by the Department for Education and Skills and would include:
(a) a mapping of past and present carnival arts and education initiatives;
(b) researching areas of good practice in the development of carnival and carnival arts in schools;
and
(c) an evidence-based approach to the contribution of the carnival arts and carnival education to
the development of communication and life skills.
20. The development of Carnival Sunday into a true Children’s Day event would be greatly assisted by
the establishment of greater links between educational institutions and carnival arts
organisations. Sufficient funding, through the Arts Council or the Department for Education and
Skills (DFES), should be made available to the Carnival organisers so as to:
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