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, training and professional development.

Join NSEAD today and lead our subject with confidence.

What's On

The National Art & Design Education Conference X Summer Gathering 2026

Including the NSEAD Awards 2026 ceremony

The Learning Journey: progression in the Oak/NSEAD Art and Design resources

The session will explore how knowledge, skills and vocabulary develop over time within the resources, and how this progression supports pupils’ artistic understanding from primary through to secondary.

iJADE Symposium: Methodology Matters

Watch a recording of this online symposium, which introduced a special issue of iJADE dedicated to the examination of contemporary methodologies for researching art and design education.

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 & Design Education

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 Action 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

@priscilladupreez via unsplash

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.

The NSEAD Raw Marks Survey Report 2

Now that many art and design teachers have submitted Raw Marks to awarding bodies, we are sharing the NSEAD's second Raw Marks Survey Report.This survey…

The Cultural Learning Alliance 2026 Report Card

The Cultural Learning Alliance 2026 Report Card was launched at a parliamentary event, 13 May 2026, and published 14 May. The report contains highly comprehensive…

Fig 1: Proposed curriculum model for Progress 8 and Attainment 8

Key stage 4 performance measures and targeted RISE extension.

Have your say!

Creative Subject Choices: Student Pathways through Education and into Employment

A new report undertaken by the University of Cambridge’s faculty of education, highlights a 'narrowing pipeline' into creative education and careers with…

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