How can FE teachers secure the future of the creative arts

Check out the latest creative arts, crafts and design jobs, and music and performing arts jobs at leading FE colleges across the UK.

It is clear that post-16 education spending has taken a battering in recent years. Despite the government announcing in November 2020 that funding for further education and sixth form colleges will be maintained in real terms in 2021-22, this is a drop in the ocean considering the £1.1bn gap that has opened up in further education (FE) funding since 2010.

In July 2021, the UK government announced its intention to cut funding for art and design courses by 50% across higher education institutions in England. The move was met with incredulity from the art world. Three hundred key art world figures put pen to paper to an open letter urging the government to halt its plans. The letter said: “This proposal will detract from one of the UK’s fastest-growing economies. The creative industries contributed £116bn in GVA [gross value added] in 2019 and supports one in every 16 jobs.”

In 2015, the University and Colleges Union (UCU) reported there were significant reductions in the number of students, ages 16 to 24, taking FE courses in the creative arts and the situation is only going one way. A shift is happening in the creative arts, leading to fewer students seeking places in post 16 education. So what can FE teachers and lecturers do to promote more interest in creative arts at FE?

A focus on creativity and creative thinking

The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education, a collaboration between

So far, it has found evidence of the positive impact that creativity and creative thinking can have in people’s lives and is seeking to determine how to best equip schools and colleges support teaching for creativity for all young people.

Their report published in 2020 made a number of recommendations for schools

Arts teachers are key to reigniting interest

The disproportionate rolling back of funding for the arts might reflect a dismissive attitude towards creative arts, perceived as lacking the intellectual esteem associated with more ‘commercially useful’ subjects, like science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Although putting a figure on the arts misses a lot of its intangible value, it is worth bearing in mind that the UK’s creative industries are worth £116bn, employing one in 16 working people.

FE and workplaces need teachers at the primary and secondary level to reaffirm their students’ passion and belief in studying creative arts, in both an academic and vocational capacity. Support and encouragement is one way in which we will see more students applying for FE college art courses.

But it isn’t up to secondary school art teachers alone to reignite the passion of art students.

Arts and culture make a difference in young people’s lives

The Arts Council released a document entitled ’10 reasons why arts and culture

According to the institution, the arts and culture sector has the following advantages. It …

Improves educational attainment across the curriculum
Promotes economic growth
Develops skills for the jobs of the future
Improves mental health and wellbeing
Develops transferable life and work skills
Encourages civic and political engagement
Provides routes to success for young people with special educational needs
Levels the playing field for disadvantaged students
Promotes community engagement and cohesion
Makes learning fun

Music education needs some love to help support the UK’s world-leading music industry

Music education enriches the lives of millions of young people, bringing with it huge cultural, economic and social benefits to the UK. The Music By Numbers

However, the number of students taking A-Level music has fallen to an alarming rate, with research suggesting it may completely disappear as an FE subject in just over 10 years.

Dr Adam Whittaker, Head of Pedagogy at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at Birmingham City University, explained: "We know from trends in A-Level uptake

“We need A-Level music, and other specialist subjects, to be offered in a range of schools right across a local authority area. This is important as A-Level music can support young musicians to pursue music in higher education and their future careers, including as the next generation of music educators."

Further, a new expert advisory panel will help produce a new National Plan for Music Education (NPME) by the end of 2022, focusing on the positive impact on young people’s wellbeing, confidence and communication skills that music can have.

Embedding employability in FE arts subjects

The fourth industrial revolution represents a fundamental change in how industry works, how people’s jobs will alter in the future and how increased automation will rewrite the business rulebook forever.

The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030 report by Nesta anticipates how

Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of The Edge Foundation, is clear that the creative will stay ahead of the ‘rise of the robots,” she says “we need to develop a new generation of creative, resilient team players who think, question and collaborate. Studying the arts is an essential part of that process.”

If you are passionate about the creative arts, or if you have worked in the art and design industry and are looking to turn your creative skills to further education teaching, see the latest creative arts, crafts and design jobs, and music and performing arts jobs at leading FE colleges across the UK.