A recent research report, Time to Listen, commissioned by Arts Council England and produced by the University of Nottingham, has revealed the need for urgent changes in arts and culture provision in schools. The three-year study Tracking Arts Learning and Engagement, gathered data from over 6000 11-18 year olds and their teachers, and reinforces the positive impact that arts and cultural learning has on student confidence, creativity, wellbeing, empathy and independent thinking, yet it reveals that school is the only avenue for arts engagement for over one third of students.
Responding to the study, Buckingham University Vice Chancellor Anthony Seldon said:
“We all have a role to play in securing high quality access to the arts and culture for young people. This research tells us how valuable arts subjects and experiences are for students in schools – but it also tells us they are under significant threat. I call on Vice Chancellors across the country to play our part in securing the future of arts subjects in schools and universities by ensuring they are appropriately valued in our institutions. I ask Russell Group universities to review their approach to facilitating subjects and ensure we aren’t inadvertently telling young people that choosing arts subjects at A Level will close down their options.”
Further details on the research is available at https://researchtale.net
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Tate Gallery who have released a film entitled Why Study Art? to coincide with the release of the report. This is available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/videos/tateshots/why-study-art