The battle for arts and minds

5 September 2011

Creativity in UK schoolchildren risks being stifled by the Government's education policies, a coalition of leading artists, entrepreneurs and educationalists has warned, including CCE's Chief Executive Paul Collard.

In a letter to the Observer, the group, which includes the actor Sir Patrick Stewart and film-maker Lord David Puttnam, says it is vital that the skills of the next generation are nurtured to ensure that the UK's strong creative industries continue to create jobs.

_{A copy of the letter can be seen further below}

The group says that current policies appear to be heading in the wrong direction. "We are concerned that recent developments, including the phasing out of teaching grants for arts degrees, send out the wrong message.

"We urge ministers to adopt policies which will ensure that creativity is at the heart of what our education offers."

They add: "For many young people, their passion for learning is ignited when they're provided with the opportunity to express themselves."

Ivan Lewis, shadow culture, media and sport secretary, said the group was sending a clear message: "Supporting creativity should be an integral part of striving for the highest educational standards. It is also central to the future success of our economy and society.

"Education reform rooted in high standards must ensure young people are supported to develop their creative talent and prepared for the opportunities of the digital age. David Cameron should not allow ill-conceived ideology to trump the national interest."

The Letter (co-signed by Paul Collard)

As we strive to secure our economic recovery it is essential that we recognise and build on our strengths. One of the UK's greatest cultural and economic assets is its range and depth of creativity, original intellectual property creation and innovative thought in all walks of life. It is essential that we continue to nurture the creative talent and skills of the next generation to ensure that creativity continues to create jobs and drive economic growth, as well as enrich individual and community life.

Britain's unique and long-standing creative tradition is exemplified by its achievements. From the RSC and the National Theatre to many of the world's leading orchestras, bands and solo performers. From Dyson's cutting edge engineering and design to the now global mobile phone microchip from ARM Holdings. From the engineering dominance of Formula One to iconic fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Sarah Burton. From Harry Potter to Adele to video games such as Tomb Raider and Little Big Planet. British creative achievement, and Britain's creative, arts and design education, have always been held in high international regard.

In many sectors our creative industries are world leaders, but with increasing global competition and active interventionist policies being pursued by many emerging economies, businesses across a wide range of industries will need to place an ever greater premium on creative talent. Harnessing and stimulating UK creativity and innovation are also crucial for enabling government to develop smarter, more cost-effective and more environmentally sustainable solutions to the delivery of public services.

It is for these reasons that we urge the government to recognise that a 21st century education system should have creativity at its heart as an entitlement for all, through the national curriculum, as well as through specific courses in further and higher education where the arts, art, design, technology and computing should be nurtured and developed. We know that for many young people their confidence and passion for learning are ignited when the education system provides them with the opportunity to express their creative ability. Arts, humanities and creative and technical learning can offer the opportunity to re-engage disaffected students but also, as highlighted in the recent US Reinvesting in Arts Education report, there is a clear link between good arts education and standards in literacy and numeracy.

We are concerned that recent developments, including the 100% cut to teaching grants for arts and humanities degrees, the exclusion of creative and technical subjects from the English Baccalaureate, the government's questioning of whether they have a place in the national curriculum, and severe cuts in teacher training allocations for these subjects, all send out the wrong message. We urge ministers across government to come together and adopt coherent and integrated policies which will ensure that creativity and innovation are at the heart of what our future education system offers. This is in the best interests of our society, our economy, and the young people who will determine our country's destiny.

• Feargal Sharkey Chief executive, UK Music
• Lord Puttnam
• Patrick Stewart
• Sir John Sorrell co-chair, the Sorrell Foundation
• Ben Evans Director, London Design festival
• Clive Jones Chairman, London Metropolitan University; Skillset patron
• John Steers General secretary, National Society for Education in Art & Design
• Joan McVittie Headteacher, Woodside Hill high school and president of the Association of School and College Leaders
• Pete Hall Jones Chief executive, the Curriculum Foundation
• Richard Gerver Education speaker and author
• Paul Thompson Rector, Royal College of Art
• Billy Ivory Playwright
• Andy Payne Chairman, UKIE
• Patrick McKenna Chief executive, Ingenious Media
• Paul Collard Chief executive, Creativity, Culture and Education
• Martin Bright Chief executive, New Deal of the Mind
• Marc Jaffrey OBE Former Champion Music Manifesto
• Sir Ken Robinson Chair of the 1998 "All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture, and Education" national commission
  Professor Robin Alexander Director, Cambridge Primary Review