WHO IS AFFECTED BY THIS?

All students benefit from studying arts and technical subjects, which help to develop self-confidence, communication skills and improved cognition. Learning these subjects goes beyond creating successful students; it creates more successful human beings [7] Those particularly impacted include:

Pupils in state schools - Over the last 20 years we have seen a steady decline in the provision of arts and cultural education in the English state school system In the private (fee paying) system, however, we have seen the reverse, with an increase in investment, provision and value ascribed to arts and cultural education This two-tier system has led to increased inequalities in terms of access to, and the value of, a broad educational experience.[8]

Disadvantaged pupils - While the drop in arts subjects in state schools affects all pupils, it affects disadvantaged pupils more Young people in the wealthiest decile are three times more likely to sing in a choir or play in a band or orchestra weekly. Meanwhile just over 50% of young people in the wealthiest decile play a musical instrument, compared to under a third of those in the most deprived [9]

Black, Asian and ethnically diverse pupils - These pupils face significant obstacles to studying art at every stage of their educational journey, not least because of a striking lack of representation in the curriculum and in art educators. This has a ripple effect on the lack of representation throughout the arts sector: from entry level, technical, curatorial, to leadership, at which point only 2% of managers in visual arts organisations identify as BAME [10]

The arts create rounded learners - In developing its assessment of creative thinking, PISA (the Programme for International Student Assessment) has pointed out that this helps students ‘look at things from different perspectives, understand the limits of their and others’ views, and help transform their ideas into innovative solutions.’[12]

The arts play a major role in the UK economy - In 2019 the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) estimated that the creative industries contributed £115.9 billion to the UK, accounting for 5.9% of the UK economy.[13] Since 2011, the gross added value of creative industries has been growing faster than the UK economy In 2019 there were over 2 1 million people employed in the creative industries sector, which was an increase of 3% from 2018

The arts have a positive impact on health, wellbeing and social cohesion - The Arts Council England is clear that the arts and creativity impact positively on health and wellbeing, on society and education, as well as the economy, while Adam Behr from Newcastle University points to the role of Britain’s creative industries as a source of cultural value and diplomatic soft power while also supporting individual wellbeing and social cohesion.[14]

W H Y D O W E N E E D T H E A R T S ?

Employers highlight the importance of arts and technical subjects - In 2019 the Confederation of British Industry reported that businesses have noticed a narrowing of the curriculum in recent years and stated that ‘we need to provide a curriculum that instead of narrowing horizons, broadens them, and fosters skills such as creativity, resilience, communication, and problemsolving ’[15]

Parents believe that creativity is vital to the economy and crucial for wellbeing - In a Universities UK survey of over 2,000 parents with children of 18 or under, nearly two thirds agreed that creative courses at university benefit the UK economy, while more than two thirds said that students gain vital creative skills at university that are essential to powering the UK’s creative industries.[16] Parents were clear that creative activities were crucial to boosting wellbeing during the pandemic, while making music in particular helps people to make meaning in their lives and to create social connection [17]