Spirit of ’68: The ‘next’ role of the art/design school?

Turney, Joanne; Franklin, Alex

Abstract

The Warwick Commission Report (2015)[i] concluded that the arts in the UK were in crisis and, regardless of political rhetoric[ii], continual cuts in government subsidy[iii] plus cuts in arts subjects in schools had created a two-tiered predominantly white middle-class system that lacked inclusivity and diversity. Also that whilst the arts accounted for 5% of the British economy, i.e. £76.9bn, they attracted less than 0.3% of the budget spend[iv]. Lack of investment, poor access to arts subjects at school level[v] and a drive towards science and mathematics had, effectively, eroded the significance of the arts in daily life. The impact of this is hard to imagine let alone measure; creativity, cultural engagement and production, and even inclusivity, diversity and different modes of expression and critique are becoming seriously endangered[vi]. This is not only a UK problem; these issues have been cited in the US[vii] and in other European nations, including Italy[viii].

The Arts find themselves in difficult times; they offer employment, make money, but lack public investment and diversity. This implies that the true value of the arts - discussion, critique, creativity, expression and political opposition - is being eroded: The voice of opposition is being silenced.

As we approach the half-century anniversary of the student protests of 1968, the heart of which, in the UK at least, was the Art School, this workshop aims to consider the role of the Art School both now and in the future, considering how these institutions can articulate and work for social and cultural change. Key questions for discussion include but are not limited to:

a) What is an Art School? What is its purpose and how has this changed over time?

b) Does it have its own language? Expectations? Ideology?

c) Who is it for?

d) What does it do and how is this disseminated?

This session aims to solicit discussion from conference delegates that will contribute to a wider project that will assess and develop the future meaning and role of the Art School in society.


[i]See: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/research/warwickcommission/futureculture/finalreport/warwick_commission_final_report.pdf

[ii] i.e. “the arts play a vital role in our communities, helping to bind people together and create real social value". George Osborne (Con.) 2010 and "Far from wasting public money, the subsidised arts give back far more than they receive." Ed Vaizey (Lab) the minister for the arts, December, 2009, see: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/sep/08/how-nicholas-serota-art-modern-champion-tate-arts-council-england

[iii] In October 2010, The Guardian newspaper reported that the Arts were facing their worst crisis since the 1940s as a result of 25-30% cuts to government subsidy (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/oct/04/blitzkrieg-on-the-arts).

[iv]https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/17/arts-and-culture-systematically-removed-from-uk-education-system. See also https://www.ica.org.uk/bulletin/state-arts-education-today-art-line

[v] Between 2003 and 2013 there was a 50% drop in the GCSE numbers for design and technology, 23% for drama and 25% for other craft-related subjects. In 2012-13, only 8.4% of students combined arts and science at AS level. The number of arts teachers in schools has fallen by 11% since 2010 and in schools where a subject has been withdrawn, drama and performance has dropped by 23%, art by 17% and design technology by 14%. See https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/17/arts-and-culture-systematically-removed-from-uk-education-system

[vi] http://www.independent.co.uk/student/istudents/arts-education-funding-is-essential-for-young-people-to-showcase-their-creative-talent-a6963836.html

[vii]https://centerforartsed.org/sites/default/files/docs/Research-Brief-Accelerating-Arts-Education-Cuts-June-2011.pdf

[viii]https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/oct/21/schools-italy; http://www.theartsathensonparks.com/blog/exploring-arts-education-in-italy3/28/2016

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 12th European Academy of Design Conference [EAD12]: Design for Next...
• Start Date: Apr 12, 2017
• End Date: Apr 14, 2017
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2017
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/897553
• Related Public URLs: http://www.designfornext.org/index.html
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 12th European Academy of Design Conference [EAD12]: Design for Next...