Parliamentary group asks for ‘urgent’ arts education overhaul

Launching the Making the Creative Majority report, a parliamentary group has urged the DfE to consider a ‘widely adopted cultural education plan’ to diversify the provision of education and bolster the 'talent pipeline'. 

Co-chaired by Deborah Bull and MP Chi Onwurah, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Creative Diversity has said that there needs to be ‘urgent’ revision of creative and cultural education provision. 

Making the Creative Majority found that degree courses were ‘overwhelmingly [the] dominant route’ into a creative career, stressing the importancy of broadening access to arts education in order to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the creative sector. The subjects it looked at included performing arts, design, dance and crafts. 

The report also recommended the implementation of ‘a major information and publicity campaign’ to improve industry perceptions of creative apprenticeships, as well as calling for ‘significant DfE investment in careers advice in schools and for young people’ about careers in the arts.

‘The under-representation of individuals from global majority backgrounds, a clear class-crisis and gender disparities highlight an urgent call to action,’ says Labour MP Onwurah on the report. 

‘This report critically sets out ‘what works’ to begin building a more equitable creative education system for those aged 16-plus and to dismantle the obstacles facing the next generation of creative talent. If we are to remain a creative nation, systemic change is not just necessary but absolutely vital.’

The report is released in line with the Theatre for Every Child campaign was launched last week, calling for school theatre trips to be given to all pupils by the time they leave school.