We are the National Society for Education in Art and Design

NSEAD is the trade union, learned society and professional association for art, craft & design educators across the UK.

We have been championing the subject of art, craft and design education since 1888: protecting, inspiring and supporting art teachers at all levels. Our membership community includes primary and secondary art teachers, student and early career teachers, researchers, arts and culture learning teams, and organisations.

We offer exclusive resources, professional development, and a supportive community for our members. Access cutting-edge research, inspiring publications, and exclusive training and professional development.

Join NSEAD today and lead our subject with confidence.

What's On

137th Annual General Meeting

All members are invited to attend the 137th Annual General Meeting of the National Society for Education in Art and Design.

The National Art & Design Education Conference 2025

Leading better practice for art, craft and design educators across the UK _____ Welcome to the NSEAD National Art and Design Education Conference 2025. This year we will be exploring the theme, Designing a learner-centred & contemporary…

Detail of an abstract painting of a landscape.

iJADE Conference 2025 | Ecologies

The 14th International Journal of Art and Design Education Conference_____Welcome to the iJADE Conference, which will be exploring the theme 'Ecologies'. The 2025 conference will have a hybrid format, with one online day and one in-person day in Bristol…

Publications

AD Magazine

Our termly member magazine, filled with Art, Craft and Design best practice, projects, interviews and essential information. Every AD also comes with a colourful A2 poster.

The International Journal of Art and Design Education

Our international research journal, reflecting a wide range of theoretical and practical approaches especially those that debate the social and cultural values which inform art and design education.

The Art Educator Blog

Welcome to the new blog from NSEAD. Publishing essays, opinions, interviews, reviews and more from the NSEAD team, our members, artists and experts working in art, design and craft education.

Resources and Professional Development

The Big Landscape Curriculum Toolkit

The Big Landscape is a new art and design curriculum toolkit for all art and design educators who place learners and community at the heart of their planning.

A large red ball trapped inside the legs of a stool with a blue plastic seat.

School Art: Where Is It? (Re)exploring Visual Art in Secondary Schools.

In this innovative research study, Joanna Fursman, Will Grant, and Carol Wild begin by revisiting the work undertaken by Dick Downing and Ruth Watson in their 2004 Tate-sponsored 'School Art: What Is It?' report.

Williamsburg Bridge New York Leonardo Burgos on Unsplash

Anti-Racist Art Education (ARAE) Resources

Anti-Racist Art Education Action (ARAEA) Group was set up in July 2020 to ensure that NSEAD, our subject and all who engage in it, are actively anti-racist. The resources found here aim to support this work and provide educators with tools to take specific…

Artist Teacher in Adult Community Learning

Resources submitted by speakers from the 1st Artist-Teacher in Adult Community learning conference held in March 2023. The conference is is intended as a space to bring together artist-teachers working in the sector to share good practices,…

Ofsted Research Review: Art and Design

The resources in this section provide links, guidance and support materials relating to the 2023 Ofsted Research Review: Art & Design. Ofsted's subject review is available online and as a 42-page document from NSEAD's websiteA podcast…

Primary Art Desk

Projects for Primary

Broad and balanced ideas for art, craft and design in the primary classroom.

Trade Union

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How to Seek Help

We pride ourselves on offering you a speedy, personal response. We take the time to listen. When you talk to us, you are talking to experienced classroom practitioners - we understand the issues you face.A phone call, or email to NSEAD will provide you…

Pebbles on a beach Ana Municio via Unsplash

Trade Union FAQs

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions our Trade Union team receive, covering topics such as accidents, time in and out of work and performance targets.

Justice via unsplash

Legal Advice and Aid

Legal advice and aid is provided by the Society in accord with the Compensation Act 2006 and the Code of Practice for the provision of Regulated Claims Management Services by Trade Unions.

Latest news from NSEAD

Discover more about art, craft and design news and events nationwide.

10 Reasons For £10

NSEAD members can register for The National Art & Design Education Conference 2025 for just £10. Here are 10 reasons why you should book your place today.

Survey reveals a decline in pupils' fine motor skills

A new survey finds three quarters of primary teachers reporting a decline in fine motor skills of pupils

New Report – Arts, Culture and Heritage: Recent Trends in UK Workforce and Engagement in England

The Policy and Evidence Centre's (Creative PEC) latest report in their 'State of the Nations' series: Arts, Culture and Heritage: Recent Trends in UK…

Framing the Future: The Political Case for Strengthening the Visual Arts Ecosystem

Commissioned by CVAN and John Hansard Gallery (University of Southampton), in partnership with a-n, DACS and Plus Tate, and written by Erskine Analysis,…

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