Cotswolds arts charity reaches more than 13,000 children

The charity, known as CATS, worked with more than 70 state primary schools across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire in 2025-26, delivering activities ranging from opera and live music to dance, drama, painting and sculpture.

CATS brings professional artists, musicians and performers into schools, aiming to give children access to creative opportunities which can be difficult to fund through school budgets alone.

During the year, pupils took part in opera and performance projects led with Oxford Opera, Longborough Festival Opera and the Academy of Barmy Composers.

For many children, it was their first opportunity to experience opera or hear live music.

Artists also led whole-school sessions in drawing, painting, sculpture, mask-making and collaborative installations.

The organisation said it provides teacher training, materials and resources alongside workshops, helping schools to continue creative work after the visiting artists have left.

Music has remained a growing part of the programme, with opportunities including singing, instrument learning and longer-term specialist teaching intended to help schools develop their own musical culture.

CATS has also introduced African dance and drumming sessions, giving pupils the chance to create routines, take leadership roles and build confidence through music and movement.

Textiles have now joined the charity’s creative offer, while television, film and photography projects are being developed for the future.

One standout project saw pupils at Burford Primary School work with CATS artists to create a giant dragon.

The collaborative artwork later attracted attention from BBC News.

The charity has also helped pupils visit theatres, concerts, galleries and other cultural venues, as well as supplying schools with art materials, equipment and musical instruments.

CATS has grown rapidly since its beginnings around the Sculpture at Kingham Lodge exhibition.

What began as support for a small number of local schools has developed into a programme now spending hundreds of thousands of pounds each year on bringing the arts back into state primary education.

The organisation says arts education can help children develop creativity, communication, confidence and collaboration, alongside a stronger sense of what they can achieve.

With demand from schools continuing to rise, CATS is seeking support from individuals, businesses, trusts and organisations to extend its reach and deepen the provision available to current partner schools.

More information about the charity and ways to support its work is available via the Cotswolds Arts Through Schools website.