By Jason Forrest, Student Partnership Manager for Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon (CCW) at UAL, and NSEAD Council member.
Image: Rose Sinclair MBE, Dr Kevin Dalton Johnson, Canon Marlene Wylie & Esther Adesigbin. Photo credit © Jason Forrest
'As we approach 2026, the field of arts education in higher education (HE) encounters significant challenges that necessitate urgent consideration. The financial pressures currently impacting the HE sector have led to course closures, a reduction in studio resources, and considerable job losses within creative arts and design departments. These circumstances raise pertinent questions regarding the long-term viability of these critical disciplines, which are essential for fostering creativity and stimulating innovation in our society. Also, the existing market-driven funding models and an excessive focus on graduate salaries have systematically marginalised arts subjects, thereby undermining their substantial contributions to both the creative economy and the social fabric.'