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The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP
Department for Education
20 Great Smith Street
Westminster
London
SW1P 3BT
Dear Secretary of State,
Access to high-quality creative education for all is critical for our young people, for the success of our £101.5bn creative industries, and for the health of the economy at large.
We are deeply concerned by the falling numbers of young people studying creative subjects at school. While Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland recognise the importance of creative education by ensuring it remains on the school curriculum, the English system continues to sideline it by excluding creative subjects from the EBacc(1). There has been an 8% drop in the number of students taking GCSEs in creative subjects since 2014/15. The Cultural Learning Alliance (CLA) has estimated that the take up of arts courses alone at GCSE level has fallen by 35% since 2010(2), while the BPI has highlighted the growing disparity between the provision of music in state and independent schools(3). The National Education Union has reported a 20% drop in contact time in Drama, Art, Music, Design and Technology, and Dance for KS3 students. The damaging impact of these reductions must not be underestimated.
Creative education is critical for the individual
Studying creative subjects positively impacts young people’s wellbeing, their development, and future opportunities(4). Research from the CLA has shown that children who study art are more employable once they have finished studying, and more likely to keep a job once employed(5 6). Taking arts subjects can improve a young person’s cognitive abilities by up to 17%, and even means that young people see improved attainment in English and Maths(7).
Access to creative education is particularly important for children from low-income backgrounds who may only have opportunities to engage with arts and culture through their schools. Studies show that children who do not have access to arts and culture are at a disadvantage both economically and educationally in comparison with those that do(8). A system which means that only more privileged young people are able to access arts and culture does a disservice both to those young people who suffer as a result, and to a society that believes in the importance of social mobility and equality of opportunity.
Creative education is critical for the creative industries
Ensuring young people have access to creative education is vital if the country is to maintain a resilient talent pipeline for the creative industries, the fastest-growing sector in the UK economy.
The creative industries are growing at twice the rate of the UK economy, and employ more than 2 million people. Jobs in the sector are growing at three times the UK average, and analysis by Nesta outlines that with proper investment an additional one million creative jobs could be added to the UK economy by 2030. But it is estimated that there are more than 77,000 roles that are unfilled or which require additional skills. An education system lacking creative subjects won’t equip young people to enter into self-employed careers (a third of the sector’s workforce) yet the future success of the sector relies on this generation to be the next wave of creators, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Put simply, devaluing creative education for young people will threaten the pipeline of exceptional creative talent which has secured the UK’s creative industries as world-leading.
Creative education is critical for the whole economy
The value of creative education, at all levels and throughout people’s lives, extends well beyond those who go on to work directly in the creative industries. For example, engagement with arts and culture corresponds with a dramatic drop in ex-prisoners reoffending(9), improved nutrition and a dramatic increase in general wellbeing(10), as well as many other benefits.
Higher education institutions understand the value creative education brings to higher levels of study, regardless of whether the learner continues to study a creative subject or otherwise. For example, The Russell Group dropped its list of “facilitating subjects”(11) and recommends that universities “may prefer applicants to have studied a variety of subjects, [including] art, English, music for STEM degrees”(12).
Studying creative subjects develops highly transferable skills that are essential for careers across the economy, such as creative thinking, problem-solving, generating imaginative and innovative ideas, persuasive communication and more. Analysis by Nesta has shown that 87% of creative roles are resistant to automation and a report by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre shows that ‘creativity’ (as a skill) is consistently the most significant predictor for an occupation’s growth(13 14). This means that a creative workforce is one that is resilient, fit for the future, and non-negotiable for the health of our economy.
Recommendations
For the benefit of the whole of the UK, we urge government to incentivise a broad and balanced curriculum within schools. This should incorporate strong representation of creative subjects, creative and cultural engagement through the wider curriculum and opportunities for all young people to take part in creative activities. We call for either the discontinuation of the EBacc, or its broadening to include creative subjects, and for government to ensure that schools are well resourced to deliver these subjects. It is also crucial that young people and those advising them have better access to high-quality advice about creative careers and how to pursue them. Programmes like the industry-led, government-backed Creative Careers Programme, which will reach 2 million young people with better careers advice, remain vital.
Yours sincerely,
Rick Haythornthwaite, Chair, Creative Industries Federation on behalf of:
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Adwoa Aboah, Model
Rob Adediran, Chief Executive, London Music Masters
Debbie Adler, Head of Creative Industries and Digital Media Sector, North America, Department for International Trade
Matthew Aitchison, Head of art, Standish Community High School
Abdullkareem Alawiye, CEO, Hoobartechnology
Kathleen Alder Long, Founder and Director, WildKat PR
Sian Alexander, Executive Director, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Fiona Allan, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Birmingham Hippodrome
Ella d’Amato, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, notonthehighstreet
Imran Amed, Founder & CEO, The Business of Fashion
Sharon Ament, Director, Museum of London
Jonathan Anderson, Designer
Steve Andre, CEO, Spirit AI
Deborah Annetts, CEO, ISM
Paul Appleby, Director, Bristol Media
Una d'Aragona, Artist
Jonty Archibald, Principal, Global Academy
Alexander Armstrong, Television and Radio Presenter
Paula Armstrong, Designer, Maker and Teacher
Syima Aslam, Director, Bradford Literature Festival
Elizabeth Atherton, Soprano
Justin Audibert and Anneliese Davidsen, Unicorn Theatre
Alessandra Ausenda, Project Manager, Tough Dough
Professor Christopher Bailey, Clerk, York Guild of Media Arts
Paul Bainsfair, Director General, The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
Diane Banks, CEO, Northbank Talent Management
Gideon Barker, Insight Director, Profundo Insight
Rose Barnecu, Director of FEAST, Creative Kernow
Prof Steven Barnett, Professor of Communications, Westminster School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster
Caroline Barth, Creative Learning Director, Derby Theatre
Sir Peter Bazalgette, Author of the Independent Review of the Creative Industries
Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House
Jason Beaumont, CEO, Access Creative College
Toks Beckley, Founder and CEO, Edge for Creatives
Georgina Bednar. Founder, No Ordinary Experience
Hilary Beecroft, Founder and Co-Director, BCre8ive
Dr Garfield Benjamin, Researcher in Creative Media and Digital Culture, Solent University
Mandy Berry, Chair, Miracle Theatre
Tim Bevan, Co-Chairman of Working Title Films
Zarina Bhimji, Photographer
Cat Bagg, Director, Field Notes CIC
Nicola Benford, Foundation Executive, D&AD
Jude Bird, Director of Programmes, Curious Minds
Julian Bird, Chief Executive - Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre Association.
Alice Black, Director, Design Museum
Tim Blanks, Editor-at -Large, The Business of Fashion
Iwona Blazwick, OBE, Director, Whitechapel Gallery
Thomas Blunt, Conductor
Katherine Bond, Director, Cultural Institute, King's College London
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury
Sandra Booth, Director of Policy and External Relations, CHEAD
Achim Borchardt-Hume, Director of Exhibitions and Programme, Tate Modern
Sir Matthew Bourne OBE, Artistic Director, New Adventures
Sue Bowerman, Director, Blanket and Senior Lecturer in Radio, The University of West London
Stephen Boyd Davis, Professor of Design Research, Royal College of Art
Jane Boyer, Artist
Kevin Brennan MP
Professor Andrew Brewerton, Principal & Chief Executive, Plymouth College of Art
Wozzy Brewster, OBE FRSA, Founder and Executive Director, The Midi Music Company & Artist Manager, United Vibrations & Chainska Brassika
Dr Helena Britt, Chair, Association of Fashion and Textile Courses (FTC)
Zowie Broach, Head of Fashion, Royal College of Art
Simon Brookes, Associate Dean (Students), University of Portsmouth
Zoe Brooks, PR Director
Jeremy Brown, Cultural Destinations Isles of Scilly
Jane Bryant, Chief Executive, ARTSWORK
Libby Buckley, Director, Leach Pottery
Dr Katie Bunnell, Whitegold Project, St Austell Bay Economic Forum
Lisa Burger, Joint Chief Executive, National Theatre
Paul Burger, Founder, SohoArtists and Governor, The BRIT School
Pauline Burt, CEO, Ffilm Cymru Wales
Clemency Burton-Hill, Broadcaster
Adam Buss, CEO, QUAD
Dr Virginia Button, Writer, Curator and Academic Consultant
David Butter, Chair, Speakers Trust
Jamie Byng, CEO, Canongate Books, and Director/Producer, Letters Live
Lucy Byrne, Managing Director, dot-art
Emily Campbell, Director of Programmes, Creative Education Trust
JC Candanedo, Photographer
Simon Cane, Executive Director, UCL Culture, UCL
Professor Anne Carlisle OBE, Vice-Chancellor, Falmouth University
Rebecca Carr, Creative Director, Kaizen Arts CIC
Sir Nigel Carrington, Vice Chancellor, UAL
Jane Carroll , Teacher of Art & Design, Professional & Induction Tutor, Oakwood School, Surrey
Laura Carroll, Managing Director, DS.Emotion
Stephen Cavalier, Animation Director, Cav Films Ltd
Ann Chadwick, retired Teacher
Tamsyn Challenger, Artist
Louise Chantal, Director/CEO, Oxford Playhouse
Professor Daniel Charny, Founder director, FixEd and Professor of Design, Kingston School of Art
Olivia Chatten, York Science Park
Ajay Chhabra, Artistic Director, Nutkhut
Martin Clark, Director, Camden Arts Centre
Paul Clark, Co-Artistic Director of Clod Ensemble
Catherine Cleary, Teacher of Art, Standish Community High School, Wigan.
Lord Clement-Jones CBE, House of Lords
Christopher Clift, Violinist
James Clutton, Director of Opera, Opera Holland Park
Dr Tim Coker, Artistic Director, Rugby School
Jamie Coleman, Founder, CodeBase
Josephine Coleman
Clare Connor, Chief Executive, The Place
Neil Constable, CEO, Shakespeare’s Globe
Andy Cook, Acting Vice Chancellor, Ravensbourne University London
Ruth Cooke, Director of Communications, Hull Truck Theatre
Guy Cookson, Partner, Hotfoot Design
Professor Frances Corner OBE, Warden of Goldsmiths, University of London
Nick Corston, Co-founder and CEO, STEAM Co.
Gaynor Cox, Housing Arts Officer, Bolton at Home
Hollie Coxon, Head of UK Creative Learning & Community Partnerships, Ambassador Theatre Group
Sharon Croome, Teacher
Prof Eric Cross, Emeritus Professor of Music & Culture, Newcastle University
Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance
Anna Cutler, Director of Learning and Research, Tate
Mirri Damer, Contemporary Jewellery
Jill Davies
Sara Davies MBE, Founder and Creative Director, Crafter's Companion
Sevra Davis, Head of Learning, Design Museum
Naomi Daw, Art Historian, Heritage Professional, Blogger
Marcia Deakin, Next Gen Skills Academy
Jeremy Deller, Artist
Professor Yavuz Demir, Nisantasi University, Turkey
Kit Denison, Assistant Producer, Clod Ensemble
Fiona Dent, CEO, Makerversity
John Dent
Dr Stephen Deuchar CBE, Art Fund director
Nicky Dewar, Head of Learning and Talent Development, Crafts Council
Mimi Doulton, Development Officer, Action for Children's Arts
Victoria Dow, Creative Director, Dow Design Group
Professor Linda Drew, former Vice Chancellor, Ravensbourne University London (2015-19)
Nick Dunmur, Business & Legal Adviser, Association of Photographers
Ben Dunning, Lecturer, BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration), London School of Film, Media & Design
Dr Katherine Dyson, Inside Outside Music Group
Alex Eagle, Founder, Alex Eagle and Creative Director, The Store
Katy Egan-Daynes, Cultural Skills and Training Coordinator, Manchester International Festival
Inua Ellams, Writer, FRSL
Andrew Ellis, Director, Art UK
Ben Evans CBE, Director, London Design Festival and Chair, Mayor's Cultural Leaders Board
Susannah Frankel, Editor-in-Chief, AnOther Magazine
Dr Shiva Feshareki
Eric Fellner, Co-Chairman of Working Title Films and Chair of Into Film
Deirdre Figueiredo, MBE. Craftspace
Jane Finnis, CEO, Culture24
Dr Paul Fleet SFHEA, Acting Deputy Director, Business School at Newcastle University
Philip Flood, Director, Sound Connections
Lord Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners
Simon Fox, Director, Simon Fox Education
Richard Freeman FRSA - CEO, always possible
Alex Fury, Fashion Features Director, AnOther Magazine
Patrick Gale, Novelist & Screenwriter
Henry Garfit, Director/Founder, Newlyn School of Art
Malcolm Garrett, Creative Director, Design Manchester
Layla Gatens, Assistant Curator, Spike Island
Paula Graham Gazzard, Director, Contemporary Visual Arts Network
Dr Frances Geesin
Maria Georgiou, Freelance Creative, Consultant Profiles Creative
Bryony Gillard, Artist
Liam Gillick, Artist
Emma Gladstone, Artistic Director & Chief Executive, Dance Umbrella
Google Arts and Culture
Howard Goodall CBE
John Goodwin, Chief Executive, The Lego Foundation
Dr Ceri Gorton, Co-director, Bird & Gorton
Kasper de Graaf, Partnerships Director, Design Manchester
James Graham, Playwright
Katie Grand, Editor-in-Chief, LOVE Magazine
James Green, Director, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange
Paul Greengrass, Film Director
Michele Gregson, General Secretary, NSEAD
Revd Simon Grigg, Chair, Iris Theatre
Matthew Guest, Policy Manager, Knowledge Exchange & Industrial Strategy, Guild HE
Jefferson Hack, CEO and Co-Founder, Dazed Media
Claire Harmer, Head of Art, Morpeth School
Peter Harvey, Baritone
Layla Hashim, Ceramicist & Treasurer, Sundragon Pottery
Neil Hatton, Chief Executive, UK Screen Alliance
Dr Penny Hay FRSA FHEA Research Fellow, Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries, Senior Lecturer in Arts Education, School of Education, Bath Spa University
Imogen Heap, Recording Artist, Composer, Founder Mycelia for Music and MI.MU
Sandra Hedblad, Senior Learning Manager, Museum of London
Sir Lenny Henry
Olivia Hetreed, Writer/Director, Sympathetic Ink Ltd
Diane Hickmore, Director of Sixth Form, Robert Carre Trust, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
Harry Hickmore, Head of Development and Communications, Wilton’s Music Hall
Dr Shaun Hides, Academic Dean Faculty of Arts & Humanities, Coventry University
Peter Higgin, Director of Enrichment (CEO), Punchdrunk
Angela Hill, Co-Founder, Idea Books
Nigel Hinds OBE, Executive Producer, 14-18 NOW
Adam Holloway, Director, Cheshire Dance
Nigel G Honey, Director, Ability Post Production Academy Ltd
Toby Hopkins, Chair, British Association of Picture Libraries & Agencies
John Horner, Managing Director, Models1
Dr Sue Horner
Ben Houlihan, Head of Quality & Teaching Development, Bridgwater & Taunton College
Jayne Howard, Director, Arts Well UK CIC
Lord Howarth of Newport, formerly Schools Minister and Minister for the Arts
Dr Adrian Hull, Head of School of Creative Technologies, University of Portsmouth
Martin Hunt, Technical Director, Wales Millennium Centre
Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive, One Dance UK
Suzanna Hurst, Communications Manager, Clod Ensemble
Amir Hussain, CoE (Chief of Everything), Yeme Architects
Chris Hyde, Director of Creative Industries, Activate Learning Group
Melanie Iredale, Interim Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest.
Vicky Ireland MBE, Chair, Action for Children’s Arts
Celia Jackson, Senior Lecturer, Photography, University of South Wales
Will Jackson, Managing Director, AudioUK
Kadine James
JBR, Company Director, JBR Creative Management
Natalie Jode, Executive Director, Creative Arts East
Sophie Johnson, Writer
Dylan Jones OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British GQ
Professor Janet Jones, Dean, Arts and Creative Industries, London South Bank University
Professor Vivien Jones, Chair, Cultural Institute, University of Leeds
Tim Jones, Culture Mile Manager
Sally Joynson, Chief Executive, Screen Yorkshire
David Judge, Group Creative Director, Space Zero
Dr Sophie Jump, Theatre designer and Co-Artistic Director of Seven Sisters Group
Donal Keenan, Awards Director, D&AD
Edward Kemp, Director, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director, Barbican
Daniel Kidane, Composer
Kanya King CBE, Founder of MOBO
David Kingsmill, Writer and Podcaster
Jayne Kirkham, Writer
Imogen Kinchin, Executive Director, New Adventures
Chrissy Kinsella, Chief Executive, London Music Fund
Leanne Kirkham, Director of Learning, Northern Ballet
Greg Klerkx, Director, Nimble Fish
Ildiko Kmeth, Senior Digital Marketing Manager, D&AD
Elaine Knight, Arts Officer, Worcestershire County Council
Jessica Koravos, President, The Really Useful Group
Tanya Krzywinska, Professor, Falmouth University
Seetha Kumar, CEO, Screenskills
Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director, Young Vic
Christine Lamb, Artist
Baroness Lane-Fox CBE, Founder, Doteveryone.org.uk
Kirsty Lang, Arts Broadcaster and Chair of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead
Prof John Last, Vice-Chancellor, Norwich University of the Arts and Chair, Ukadia
Dr Zoe Laughlin, Co-Founder and Director of the Institute of Making, UCL
Angela Law, Director, Every Sense
Christopher Le Brun, President, Royal Academy of Arts
Jonty Lees, Director, Pool School Gallery CIC
Amanda Levete, Founder and Principal, A_LA
Ben Lewis, CEO, Young Voices
Gerald Lidstone Director, ICCE Goldsmiths University of London
Tim Lindsay, CEO, D&AD
Rachel Livingstone, Administrator, Roundabout
Daisy Lloyd, Creative Education Coordinator, Derby QUAD
Kevin M Lloyd, Head of Design & Technology, Shrewsbury School
John Lochland, Academic Lead: Media, University of Portsmouth
Stephen Loges, Bass-Baritone
Bruno Maag, Chairman, Dalton Maag Ltd
Jane MacFarlane, Spike Design Coordinator, Spike Island Artspace Ltd
Heather MacRae, Managing Director, The Ideas Foundation
Rod Manley, Chief Marketing Officer, Burberry
Dr Mark Mann RTTP, Innovation Lead, Humanities & Social Sciences, Oxford University Innovation
Sally Manser, Head of Royal Opera House Bridge Programme, Royal Opera House
Richard Mantle, General Director, Opera North
Penny Martin, Editor-in-Chief, The Gentlewoman
Dame Natalie Massenet, Co-founder, Imaginary Ventures & Non-executive Co-chairman, Farfetch
Barbara Matthews, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Art, Architecture, Design and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University
Dr Joanna Mayes, Director, Mayes Creative
Christoph Mayr, Artist Manager, Rayfield Allied
Joanne McCartney AM, Statutory Deputy Mayor of London and Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare
Miriam McClay, Newent Community School
Paul McCreesh, Conductor Gabrieli / Gabrieli Roar
Kathryn McDowell, CBE DL, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra
Gordon McKenzie, CEO, GuildHE
Jill McKinney, Head of Skills, Sunderland Software City
Louisa-Jane McLean, Drama Education Manager of The Drama Box Ltd.
Olivia McLennan, Community Musician and Creative Practitioner, Co-Director, Music for Wellbeing CIC
Professor Sean McNamara FRSA, Head of Guildford School of Acting, Chair of the Federation of Drama Schools, Professor in Conservatoire Training, University of Surrey
Deborah Mead Retired Teacher
Professor Linda Merrick, Principal, Royal Northern College of Music
Jess Meyer, Head of Operations, Zetteler
Adam Milford, Theatre Workout
Sarah Miller, Director, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Gillian Moore CBE, Director of Music, Southbank Centre
Liz Moran, Director of Arts and Culture and Co-Director Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, University of Kent
Jon Morgan, Director, Theatres Trust
Bethan Morris, New Blood Manager, D&AD
Tom Morris, Artistic Director, Bristol Old Vic
Professor Olwen Moseley, FHEA Dean, Cardiff School of Art & Design
Kate Moss
Dave Moutrey, CEO, HOME and Director of Culture, MCC
Sarah Mower, Ambassador for Emerging Talent, British Fashion Council
Professor Damian Murphy, Research Theme Champion for Creativity, Director of XR Stories, University of York
Stuart Murphy, Chief Executive, ENO
Pam Myers, Creative Director, Rorschach Ltd.
Jenny Natusch, Founder and Chair, Escape2Make
Robert Noble, Group Managing Director, New Adventures
Jane Nolan, Lecturer in Music Enterprise
Rufus Norris, Joint Chief Executive, National Theatre
Emma O'Neill, Parsons
Clinton Osborne, Director, Animation Station
Chris Overend, Photographer and Technical Instructor
David Owen, Co-Founder, Idea Books
Mark Owen, Course Leader, BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) London School of Film, Media and Design
Dr. Nick Owen MBE, CEO, The Mighty Creatives
Leonie Annor Owiredu, Writer, Strategist and Diversity Consultant, This is Diversity in Action
Paul Pacifico, CEO, Association of Independent Music
Ann Packard FRSA HonFRIAS
James Pais, Creative Services Director and Fellow of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, Frame
Phil Parker, Founder and Director, bCre8ive
Andy Payne OBE, Founder of Appynation
Mark Pemberton, Director, ABO
Robert Pepper, Principal of Art, Academy London
Dougal Perman, Executive Chair, Scottish Music Industry Association
Jonny Persey, Director, MetFilm School
Sally Phillips, Actor and Writer
Fern Potter, Director of Development, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Dr Ellen Pruyne
Christine Pyke M.Ed FHEA, Media, Business and Education Consultant
Jacky Rattue
Scarlett Raven, Artist
Ben Rayfield, Managing Director, Rayfield Allied
Baroness Gail Rebuck DBE
Paul Reeve, Chief Executive, Into Film
JC Reid, Co founder, Skint Records
Joanna Reid, Executive Director, Belgrade Theatre
Darren Richards, Creative Director, Graphic Alliance
Natalie Richardson, Producer, Konzept Arts & Ideas
Philippa Richardson, Head of Marketing & Communications, Knight Dragon Ltd
Professor Kate Rigby, Director of the Research Centre for Environmental Humanities, Bath Spa University
Bridget Riley, Artist
Madoc Roberts, Film and TV Editor (BAFTA Award winner)
Morag Robertson, Partner, French + Scott Media, St Ives
Judith Robinson, Arts Programmes Manager (The Box), Economic Development, Plymouth City Council
Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director, English National Ballet
Malcolm Ross, Professor of Aesthetic Education, University of Wolverhampton
Samuel Ross, Designer, A-Cold-Wall*
David Ruebain, Chief Executive Officer, Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
Axel Rüger, Secretary and Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Arts
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council
Julian Russell, Chief Executive, HQ Theatres & Hospitality
Dr Andy Salmon, Pro-Vice Chancellor External & Executive Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Bath Spa University
Rebecca Salter RA, Keeper of the Royal Academy
Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Sabine Coady Schäbitz, Associate Professor, School of Art and Design, Coventry University
Jessica Saunders, Marketing Officer, Derby QUAD
Bill Scott, Artistic Director, Miracle Theatre
Julian Scott, CEO, Julian Scott Associates
Isra Shah, Head of Marketing and PR, Tom Davies
Lynette Shanbury, Executive Director/Joint CEO, Polka Theatre
Russ Shaw, Founder, Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates
Victoria Sheard
David Shelley, CEO, Hachette
Jen Shepherd, Producer, Tinderbox Theatre Company
Dennis Sherwood, Managing Director, The Silver Bullet Machine Manufacturing Company Limited
Claire Shoosmith, Artist and Teacher
Marigold Short, Artist
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, London
Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive, Nottingham Playhouse Trust Ltd
Rebecca Skeels MA PGCE SFHEA, Course Leader for Postgraduate Programmes, School of Craft and Design
Julia Skelton, Executive Director, Mind the Gap
Amy Smith, Head of Talent, Framestore
Bob and Roberta Smith, Artist
Bridget Smith, Head of Design and Technology, Herschel Grammar School
Jesse Leroy Smith, Artist, Curator and Mentor
Dr Martin Smith, Chair of Trustees, St Johns, Smith Square
Michael Smith, Executive Chair, National Campaign for the Arts
Nicola Soloman, Chief Executive, Society of Authors
Sir John Sorrell CBE, Founder, Creative Industries Federation
Rebecca Southin, Art Teacher
Sarah Southin
Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director, and Chief Executive, Sadler’s Wells
Philippa Spoerry, Nottingham Trent University
Patrick Spottiswoode, Director, Globe Education
Michael Stewart, Founding Director, Open City Documentary Festival
Melanie Stidolph, Learning Curator, Tate St Ives
Johannes von Stumm, Past President Royal Society of Sculptors, President Oxford Art Society, President Open Studios West Berkshire and North Hampshire, Founding Member of Sculpture Network (Europe)
Deyan Sudjic OBE, Director, Design Museum
Dr Cindy Sughrue OBE, Director, Charles Dickens Museum
John Summers, Chief Executive, Hallé Orchestra
Jane Sutherland, Director, Cultivator
Adrian Sutton, Composer
Sam Taylor-Johnson, Filmmaker
Anne Thompson, Art Teacher
Jayne Thompson, Head of Drama, University of Kent
Dr Pat Thomson PSM FAcSS FRSA, Professor of Education, The University of Nottingham, Researchtale.net
David Thornhill, Creative Director, Ampersandesign
Nathan Timothy BA(Ed)Hons, Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Timothy Foundation
Mo Tomaney, Director, Wise Birds Network Limited
Rachel Triggs
Owen Turner (MCSD), Managing Director, United by Design
Carole-Anne Upton, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University
Rt Hon Ed Vaizey MP
Kate Varah, Executive Director, The Old Vic
Chris Venables, Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Solent University
Jessica Voorsanger, Artist
John Waite, Group Curriculum Director, Creative Industries, ICT & Digital, New City College Group
Kim Waldock, Arts Education Consultant
Timothy Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Simon Wallis, Director, The Hepworth Wakefield
Sharon Walpole, Director, Careermap
Annie Warburton, CEO & Creative Director, Cockpit Arts
Matthew Warchus, Artistic Director, The Old Vic
Henry Ward, Creative Director, Freelands Foundation
Julie Ward MEP, Vice Chair Culture & Education Committee, European Parliament
Dr Stephanie Ward, Yarn Innovation Designer, Steffi Design
Dr Jon Wardle, Director, National Film and Television School
Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
David Wearing, Principal at Kelsall Primary School, Chair of Cheshire LCEP, SLiCE, Curious Minds Trustee
Gillian Wearing, Artist
Judith Webster, Chief Executive, Music for Youth
Sarah Weir OBE, Chief Executive, Design Council
Tom Weldon, CEO, Penguin Random House UK
Professor Richard Weston, Director, Molly’s World CIC
Tim Weston, Teacher
John Whall, Digital Participation Curator, Derby QUAD
Mike Wheeler, Freelance Music Writer and Adult Education Tutor
Julie Whelan, CEO, Nordoff Robbins
Jasmine Whitbread, CEO, London First
Carole White, Co-Founder, Premier Model Management
Kate White, CEO, National Centre for Circus Arts
Phil White, CEO, upstage
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary, School Leaders' Union NAHT
Kirsty Whittingham, Visitor Services, Derby QUAD
Emma Wilcox, Project Director, Creative Estuary, University of Kent
Luke Wilcox, Head of Content, D&AD Festival, D&AD
Chloe Williams, Founder and Director, The Children's Art School
Lynne Williams, Principal, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Paula Williams
Suzy Willson, Co-Artistic Director of Clod Ensemble
Chris Wilson, Co-Founder, Scriberia
Evelyn Wilson, Director, The Culture Capital Exchange (TCCE)
Vanessa Wilson, CEO, University Alliance
Anna Winstanley, Family Events and Community Environmental Arts Therapies Coordinator, The Cockpit theatre
Will Wollen, Director of Employability (Arts), University of Kent
Stuart Worden, Principal, The BRIT School
Laura Worsfold, Chief Executive Officer, Severn Arts
Althea Wray, Water II Wire Ministries
Jo Wright, Chair, Sound City Liverpool
Dr Gillian Youngs, Professor of Creative and Digital Economy, Dean of Arts and Humanities and Institutional Lead for Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, Canterbury Christchurch University
Madani Younis, Creative Director, Southbank Centre
Andria Zafirakou, 2018 Global Teacher Prize winner
Sabine Zetteler, Director, Zetteler
