Essential Reasoning: Art and Design Classes Should Be Accessible for Schoolchildren
The landscape of art and design education in the UK is a vibrant tapestry of creativity, innovation, and historical context. Over the past decade, state-funded schools have experienced a significant decline in the number of art and design teachers, a trend that has raised concerns about the future of creative education [1]. However, this decline does not tell the whole story.
The V&A Museum, a testament to the Design School movement of the 1840s, continues to uphold its educational mission. Founded by Prince Albert with the aim of establishing a 'central storehouse or treasury of Science and Art for the use of the whole Kingdom', the V&A Museum has inspired Britain's greatest designers, including William Morris and Owen Jones [5]. The museum's Director since 2017, Tristram Hunt, a British historian, broadcaster, and former politician, is committed to maintaining this legacy.
The V&A Museum's upcoming exhibition, Cartier, is a shining example of the museum's commitment to artistry and craftsmanship. Scheduled to open on 12th April, 2025, the exhibition showcases the French maison's commitment to artistry and craftsmanship, with the Manchester Tiara, created by Cartier in Paris in 1903 for Consuelo, Dowager Duchess of Manchester, as one of its centrepieces [2]. The Manchester Tiara is made up of more than 1,000 brilliant-cut and over 400 rose-cut diamonds, a testament to Cartier's unparalleled craftsmanship.
The UK's creative industries are thriving, with the economic contribution of these industries growing by 6.8% in 2022 to reach £124.6 billion [3]. The UK is a world leader in the creative industries, with a remarkable capacity to produce outstanding and popular works of global significance. British luxury, including fashion and jewellery brands, grew by nearly 70% between 2018 and 2022 [4].
Despite the decline in art and design education in state-funded schools, the number of students taking art-subject GCSEs and A-levels has dropped radically since 2010 due to budget cuts and the EBacc system [1]. However, independent schools have maintained their investment in art studios, design workshops, theatres, and orchestras, ensuring that the next generation of creative talent continues to be nurtured [1].
The current state of art and design education in UK schools is supported by a strong network of universities renowned for their art and design programs, such as Lancaster University, the Royal College of Art (RCA), and Norwich University of the Arts. These institutions offer diverse, interdisciplinary courses in fine art, design management, graphic design, and other creative fields, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills developed by active artists and researchers [1][2][4][5].
Creativity is recognized as one of the top three 'future skills' needed to thrive in a fast-changing, technological world [6]. Schools and universities also provide outreach and resources to secondary schools to inspire and guide young creative talent, further supporting the pipeline into creative industries [5].
In conclusion, UK art and design education is robust, institutionally rich, and effectively connected to the creative sector, fostering a skilled and innovative workforce that sustains and propels the UK's creative industries forward [1][2][3][4][5]. The V&A Museum, with its rich history and commitment to education, continues to play a crucial role in this ecosystem, inspiring the next generation of artists, designers, and creators.
References: [1] Guardian, The (2023). Art and design teachers leave schools in droves, figures show. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/01/art-and-design-teachers-leave-schools-in-droves-figures-show [2] V&A Museum (2025). Cartier: The Exhibition. [Online] Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/cartier [3] Creative Industries Federation (2023). Creative Industries Accounts 2022. [Online] Available at: https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CIA-2022-Report-Final.pdf [4] British Fashion Council (2023). British Fashion Council announces the growth of British luxury between 2018 and 2022. [Online] Available at: https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/news/british-fashion-council-announces-the-growth-of-british-luxury-between-2018-and-2022 [5] V&A Museum (2023). V&A Museum Programmes. [Online] Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/programmes [6] World Economic Forum (2023). The top 10 skills you need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. [Online] Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/top-10-skills-you-need-to-thrive-in-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/
The V&A Museum, a historic beacon of education and self-development in art and design, continues to prioritize personal growth and learning by providing diverse, interdisciplinary courses and exhibitions, fostering the next generation of artists, designers, and creators. In tandem with a robust network of universities and independent schools, the UK's creative industries are thriving, with an emphasis on creativity as one of the top future skills necessary for success in a fast-changing world.
