Arts in education are often underfunded, in spite of how vital they are for childhood development.

The UK government has planned to invest a total of £496 million over 2016-2020 to provide students with resources to develop their artistic skills.

Arts are part of the human experience from the moment we develop motor skills. Children use art as a way to communicate and gain important lifelong skills. Art subjects are severely underfunded but money alone isn’t enough!

Arts in Education

• Art and Design
• Dance
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• Media/Film/TV Studies
• Music
• Performing/Expressive Arts

Teaching

• 35% decrease in arts GCSE* entries in England (2010-2018)
• 17% decrease in art hours taught in secondary schools since 2010
• 16% decrease in number of art teachers

What’s Next?

£496 million in total are being applied over 2016-2020 to current programmes, with £96 million to be applied between 2018-2020:

• £90 million for Dance and Drama Awards (DaDa) and Music and Dance Scheme (MDS)
• £2.4 million for the Museums and Schools programme
• £1.23 million to connect arts and cultural experiences for young people, children, schools, and communities
• £2.5 million for international cultural visits
• £1 million for In Harmony to support significantly disadvantaged communities, with Arts Council England providing £900,000
• £400,000 to complement £500,000 from Arts Council England, providing 30 performers aged 16-19 years old with intensive training (National Youth Dance Company)
• £260,000 alongside £700,000 from Arts Council England for young people aged 13-16 (National Art & Design Standard Clubs)

Benefits of Arts

Arts in education provide young people with a wide range of skills.

• Confidence
• Emotional Intelligence
• Tolerance
• Resilience
• Empathy
• Physical Development
• Wellbeing
• Cognitive Ability
• Reduced Stress, Anxiety, and Depression