In a move to revive the dwindling presence of arts education in British schools, a coalition of more than 20 UK organisations has unveiled Arts and Minds, the first major campaign since last year’s general election. Led by the National Education Union (NEU) and supported by institutions such as Artists Union England (AUE) and Black Lives in Music, the initiative aims to place arts subjects—art and design, dance, drama, and music—back at the centre of the curriculum.
The campaign, launched yesterday (11 February) at Tate Modern, has garnered the backing of high-profile ambassadors, including artists Sarah Graham, Bob and Roberta Smith, and Turner Prize winner Helen Cammock. Speaking at the event, Bob and Roberta Smith (the professional name of artist Patrick Brill) called for a radical overhaul of art teaching in the UK. Brandishing a homemade wooden placard emblazoned with the slogan “All Schools Are Art Schools,” Smith criticised the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), an exam system that excludes arts subjects and is taken by many students at 16.
“We are betraying our intelligence if we don’t ditch the EBacc,” Smith declared, recalling how the arts had been dismissed by previous governments as holding children back. A former parliamentary candidate who once stood against ex-schools minister Michael Gove, Smith stressed the urgent need for greater government support for arts education. He also highlighted the importance of funding for local and regional museums, which are often pressured by cash-strapped councils to sell off art collections to balance budgets.
The campaign comes amid growing concerns about the state of arts education in the UK. New research conducted for Arts and Minds by WeThink/Omnisis reveals a 42% decline in participation in arts subjects at GCSE level over the past 15 years. Despite 90% of students expressing a desire to take at least one creative subject, funding constraints mean many state schools are unable to offer a full range of arts options. This is further supported by findings from TeacherTapp, a survey platform, which found that two-thirds of school leaders lack the budget or facilities to provide comprehensive arts education.
Sarah Kilpatrick, president of the NEU and an art teacher with nearly two decades of experience, spoke passionately about the decline she has witnessed. “I have seen the systematic decimation of the arts, and it has been heartbreaking,” she said. Kilpatrick contrasted her own school experience—where she received a bursary to join an art trip to Paris, including the cost of her passport—with the current reality for many students in the north-east of England, where access to the arts has been severely curtailed.
The campaign also released a new film featuring students from diverse backgrounds who have discovered their talents in art, music, and drama. Among them is 16-year-old Mohsin Ahmed, who spoke about how painting has not only enriched his creativity but also improved his performance in subjects like English, maths, and science.
At the launch, Lisa Nandy, the UK’s secretary of state for culture, media, and sport, acknowledged the challenges facing arts education. “We’ve seen culture and creativity erased from many of our communities,” she said. “As a government, we are absolutely determined to rebuild that whole ecosystem.”
Arts and Minds represents a rallying cry for a cultural shift in education, one that recognises the intrinsic value of the arts in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional well-being. As the campaign gains momentum, it poses a crucial question: in a world increasingly driven by technology and data, can we afford to neglect the arts—and the imagination they inspire? For the coalition behind Arts and Minds, the answer is a resounding no.