Education Scotland, have published a comprehensive round-up of research that highlights how Expressive Arts contribute to Scotland's priorities for learner attainment, achievement, wellbeing, creativity, excellence and equity. Titled, Education Scotland's Expressive Arts Curriculum Background and Evidence Paper and published March 2026, the research contextualises the 3-18 Expressive Arts curriculum within the Scottish education landscape.
Drawing on local, national and international evidence – underpinned by academic research and professional perspectives – the paper examines the successes and challenges in the delivery of Art and Design, Dance, Drama and Music, with the addition of Film and Screen in September 2025.
The paper examines:
- Related national policies
- Data and analysis looking at results in art and design
- Labour market considerations in Scotland and globally
- International reports and comparisons – including OECD and UNESCO’s curriculum trends
- Evidence across phases
- Academic research relating to art and design, including iJADE
- Future trends
Key findings relating to art and design:
Highly affective practice relating to art and design
Focused portfolios following the recommended structure enabled candidates to access the full range of marks. Strong performance was linked to personal theme selection, independent development of ideas, and confident use of materials. High-achieving submissions also demonstrated clear visual and conceptual links between written analysis and practical work, enhancing coherence and creative impact.
Challenges and Areas Requiring Improvement
Many candidates showed limited creative development, with repetitive experimentation and minimal progression from initial ideas to final outcomes. Formulaic, centre-led approaches restricted individual expression and creative risk-taking. Evaluation skills were generally weak, with descriptive rather than analytical reflections and limited use of subject-specific terminology.
The authors note: 'While Art and Design is recognised as a powerful and transformative element of the Expressive Arts curriculum, its implementation across Scottish schools remains uneven. Addressing issues of undervaluation, curriculum misalignment, resource inequality and representation will be essential to ensuring that all learners can access the full benefits of art education.' (p. 67)
Over-aching considerations
- Expressive Arts are central to Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), fostering creativity, wellbeing, equity and support the growth of the whole child and prepare children and young people to engage meaningfully with Scotland’s cultural life.
- In early years education, Expressive Arts play a fundamental role, fostering learning through play, storytelling and imaginative exploration. The arts build curiosity, resilience and social connection that shape lifelong outcomes.
- International research consistently validates the importance of arts education with organisations such as OECD, UNESCO and WHO affirming the intrinsic and wider benefits of arts education, including creativity, critical thinking, identity and emotional development. UNESCO highlights its role in holistic education, supporting wellbeing, inclusion and mental health.
- Globally, there is a growing trend towards integrating Expressive Arts into modern curricula. Countries such as Wales, Australia and New Zealand as well as provinces such as British Columbia in Canada integrate arts into curricula to connect creativity with identity, literacy and future-ready skills. Scotland can draw on these models to align with international best practice.
- Despite their recognised value, the provision of Expressive Arts across Scotland remains inconsistent. Delivery across Scotland varies due to variations in teacher confidence, resources and prioritisation, creating inequitable access where some learners benefit from rich experiences while others face limited opportunities.
- A lack of shared understanding of what and how to teach the arts affects consistency, especially in primary schools where confidence and training are limited. Addressing this is key to equitable, high-quality learning.
- Expressive Arts align with Scotland’s Developing the Young Workforce strategy. With creative industries among the fastest-growing globally, including Scotland’s film sector projected at £1 billion by 2030. Embedding arts more deeply can connect education with employment pathways.
Read Education Scotland's Expressive Arts Curriculum Background and Evidence Paper here