One measure of the quality of people's lives is the range and frequency of their opportunities to engage in, benefit from and enjoy cultural activity.
Culture can be a social thread, uniting people and linking otherwise disparate parts of their lives.
Using arts and culture as part of East Ayrshire's drive to raise pupils' attainment East Ayrshire Council's Education Department has given arts and cultural development a key place in their drive to raise educational standards. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra has worked in partnership with all secondary music departments in the performance of a new work by the Scottish composer James MacMillan. This innovative development, while linked to the curriculum, gave pupils a valuable insight into professional music making and the opportunity to work with professional musicians. The Muirkirk Millennium Music Festival is a schools project which brings together a wide range of Primary Schools and community groups within the Coalfields Regeneration Area. It provides a cultural and artistic focus for both performers and audience.