Young people encouraged to explore the link between art and law
2 March 2010
Tate Modern yesterday hosted an Attorney General's Youth Network event to kick-start an expansion of the network into the fields of performing and visual arts.
By working with a range of partners the Youth Network, launched last autumn, hopes to show the relevance of the law across a range of careers and sectors of society, showing how the law is there to protect us and to guarantee our rights. Network partners, including Tate Modern, are those who commit to mentoring young people or otherwise providing access to their areas of work, establishing an understanding of the role and influence of the law. For example, in the arts fields, copyright and intellectual property law, censorship issues and libel law are not only key issues for the industry but can spark lively public debate and engagement.
Speaking at the event, the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC, said:
"It's vital that young people understand and feel ownership of the law, and understand how it acts as a framework to support and protect each of us and our endeavours. After all, they will be its future custodians. My Youth Network is about enlisting partners across the legal profession and beyond, to open up the law and make it more accessible. Legal concepts can seem dry in the abstract, but when we consider how they relate to artistic freedom of expression, they gain relevance and importance. I am immensely grateful to Tate Modern for facilitating this event."
Nicholas Serota, the Director of Tate Modern added:
"The Attorney General's Youth Network is an outstanding initiative. We are delighted to host this event at Tate Modern and support a programme which aims to make the law more accessible to young people."
Ends
For more information please contact Bernie Caffarey on 0207 271 2440 or email bernie.caffarey@attorney.general.gsi.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Images from the event are available
2. The Attorney General's Youth Network seeks to encourage an understanding and respect for the rule of law, and contribute to citizenship education, including increasing understanding of the justice system and of an individual's rights and responsibilities
3. The Attorney General's Youth Network is building on the success of partnerships that have worked well, encouraging understanding and respect for the rule of law, and contributing to citizenship education, including increasing understanding of the justice system and of an individual's rights and responsibilities
4. The Youth Network includes a growing number of partners from across sectors and disciplines, including:
• Tate Modern
• Allen & Overy
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
• Citizenship Foundation
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Debate Mate
• Eversheds
• Freshfields
• J.P. Morgan
• Lawyers in Schools
• Linklaters
• The Prince's Trust
• Simmons & Simmons
• YWCA