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The Guardian view on arts education: a creativity crisis

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t Winchester college, the alma mater of Rishi Sunak, students can take classes in wood carving and sculpture, perform on a proscenium stage at the school’s 240-seat theatre, or make use of the 2,000 books in its art library. The story is very different at state schools, which have seen a steep reduction in arts provision over the last decade. “The moment that convinced me to go on strike was when my school lost its specialist art teacher,” one striking teacher wrote in this newspaper last week. “Activities such as art [and] music … are the highlight of the week for a lot of pupils, but they’re the first to go when resources are short.”

English state schools are facing a creativity crisis. Since 2010, enrolment in arts GCSEs has fallen by 40% and the number of arts teachers has fallen by 23%. This shift is most pronounced among state schools in deprived areas, where pupils are far less likely to sing in a choir or play in an orchestra. Meanwhile, private schools have invested substantial resources in art and music provision, according to research from Warwick University. This depressing trend is part of a wider and self-reinforcing pattern. As fewer state students have the opportunity to engage with arts or music, fewer go on to study these subjects at A-level or university. The risk is that arts subjects will be restricted to a privileged few, shrinking the cultural horizons of everyone but the elite.

Art makes a person broader-minded and more imaginative. Yet the government’s bleakly utilitarian attitude to education has narrowed the opportunities available to state school students. Artists and teachers have long railed against the English baccalaureate, the system introduced without consultation under the former education secretary Michael Gove in 2010. The Ebacc excludes all arts subjects. It is also the bedrock on which a school’s Progress 8 score is based, which determines its place in performance tables. This gives schools an incentive to focus on “core” subjects – English, maths and sciences. Independent schools are not bound by these rules or performance tables, and are free to do what they deem best for their pupils.

Cuts have made this picture worse. In the 10 years after 2009, spending per pupil in England fell by nearly 10% in real terms. As support staff have been cut, overstretched teachers have less capacity to run choirs or put on school plays. Although the government announced an additional £2.3bn in school funding in last year’s autumn statement, most of this will be eaten up by the growth in school costs. Because arts subjects require space and resources, they are often most vulnerable to budget cuts. In their 2019 manifesto, the Conservatives promised a £110m arts premium to help schools fund arts programmes and extracurricular activities. This was whittled down to £90m in Mr Sunak’s 2020 budget. He promised this money would arrive by September 2021. But it has still yet to materialise.

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The investment that private schools have made in arts provision refutes the notion, favoured by Conservative ministers, that education is simply a training ground for the labour market. But even on a purely economic basis, the government’s approach to arts education is self-defeating. In a recent speech, the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, noted that the cultural industries had grown at twice the rate of the UK’s economy over the last decade. Tackling the creativity crisis in state schools is a matter of urgency, both for pupils and for the country as a whole.

Poor old Britain. It’s been a terrible few years. After a succession of crises – austerity, Brexit, partygate, cronyism and sleaze – the country is limping towards a general election, the government out of steam, the public poorer than at any point for perhaps 40 years.

It’s important that everyone, including those like you in Canada, understand this story of sorry decline. The Guardian uncovers the truth about British life every day – its political scandal, royal rows and economic rout – and tells the world about it. That’s a valuable service. Will you invest in the Guardian this year?

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Downtown Kingston’s fall Art After Dark ‘biggest one yet’

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Art After Dark returns to downtown Kingston this Friday as art galleries and art-loving businesses open their doors and invite patrons to browse and buy some of the best in local art.

Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, from 7 to 10 p.m., art enthusiasts are invited to wander, chat, and maybe start or add to their personal collections. While the public is taking in the beautiful art and meeting fascinating local artists, they can also enjoy light refreshments, friendly conversation, and compelling displays at art galleries and in local shops in the downtown core.

“The eagerly-awaited fall edition of Art After Dark promises to be the biggest one yet, as attendees embark on a free walking tour of more than 20 participating studios, galleries, and art-loving businesses downtown,” the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area (BIA) said in a media release dated Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

“Art After Dark is a beloved community event that celebrates the talent and creativity of local artists and the dynamic arts scene in Kingston,” the BIA continued. “This year’s fall edition brings an array of new and exciting experiences that will inspire and entertain.”

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In the release, the BIA shared details on what attendees can expect this year:

  • Artistic Adventure: Explore the heart of Kingston’s artistic community on a captivating walking tour. Visit studios, galleries, and art-centric businesses throughout downtown Kingston, where you can engage with artists, view their latest works, and even purchase unique pieces to add to your own collection.
  • Art After Dark Outdoor Lounge: New for this year’s event is the Art After Dark Outdoor Lounge, in partnership with The Caesar Company. Located on Sydenham Street (between Princess and Queen), this outdoor oasis will provide a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for attendees to unwind and socialize. Sip on specialty drinks, listen to live music, and plan your next stop on the Art After Dark walking tour.
  • $500 Grand Prize Draw: While you enjoy Art After Dark, enter to win $500 towards the purchase of original artwork. Each gallery you visit offers another chance to win. Contest details will be available at all participating stops.

Art After Dark is a family-friendly event that welcomes art enthusiasts of all ages. For seasoned art collectors or those simply curious about Kingston’s thriving art scene, this event offers something for everyone, the BIA noted, adding that attendees must be 19+ to enter the Outdoor Lounge.

Image via Downtown Kingston website.

 

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Pokémon are coming to the Van Gogh Museum to teach the world about art

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If the Pokémon Company’s video teasing its upcoming collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum was already enough to have you thinking about booking a ticket to Amsterdam, the promise of an impressionistic Pikachu promo card might just do the trick.

In celebration of the Van Gogh Museum’s 50th anniversary, it has teamed up with the Pokémon Company for a special event designed to introduce young artists to Van Gogh’s work, and to teach people about the way he was profoundly influenced by Japanese art.

“This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way,” the Van Gogh Museum’s general director Emilie Gordenker said in a press release. “The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company International have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum.”

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Along with on-site activations that guide museum visitors through a selection of Van Gogh’s paintings and delve into the stories behind them, an online exploration of his fascination with Japanese culture will also be available. Along with on-site activations that guide museum visitors through a selection of Van Gogh’s paintings and delve into the stories behind them, an online exploration of his fascination with Japanese culture will also be available.

Even if you can’t make it to the actual museum to snag a ‘Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat’ card in-person, the promos will also be available through the Pokémon Center included in orders from a special collection inspired by the collaboration. But for those looking to make a trip of it, the Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum collaboration is set to run from September 28th until January 7th, 2024, and tickets for general admission to the museum (which are required to get in and can only be purchased online) are available now.

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A Cartoonist Appreciates the Art at the Metropolitan Museum – The New Yorker

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