What do we want art, craft and design education to be?

This weekend, academics, teachers, students, organisations and community members from across the world gathered for our iJADE Conference at Goldsmiths, University of London, to explore the theme of inclusivity, ethics and participation in art, craft and design education. NSEAD past presidents contributed across the weekend: Professor Nick Stanley opening the Conference and Dr Peter Gregory with his closing address. I would like to say a huge thank you to Goldsmiths, the iJADE team, all keynotes, presenters and delegates.  

iJADE is such an important part of the NSEAD story and our value as a learned society. As an NSEAD member of course, you have access to every article. Here, innovative thinking is presented, challenged, investigated. We see that those who work in art, craft & design education are fuelled by curiosity, always alive to ‘What if?’.  

iJADE gives us insight into what art, craft & design education can be. It reminds us that other parts of the world do things differently. Our system doesn’t have to be like this – if we think it isn’t right, it can be different.  

Which brings me back to the moment of change being offered to schools in England. I have attended quite a few meetings now where members of Amanda Spielman’s team have looked us in the eye and declared that Ofsted can, and wishes to be a ‘force for good’. Sean Harford HMI and Ofsted's National Director, Education, asked headteachers of Artsmark schools, ‘what do you want arts education to be? Tell us what we should be looking for’.  

So, how will you respond to the challenge from Ofsted? What does quality education in our subject look like, and how will school leaders, politicians and Ofsted inspectors recognise it when they see it?  

Tell us, we would love to hear from you.  

Michele Gregson
General Secretary michelegregson@nsead.org

The International Encyclopedia of Art and Design Education in published

NSEAD and Wiley Blackwell have launched the three-volume subject encyclopedia: The International Encyclopedia of Art and Design Education (IEADE). 

There is a special introductory hardcopy price ending 30 April. However, NSEAD members will also receive the same discount after this date (a code will published online and in this ebulletin).

You can also access sample papers and recommend the IEADE to your librarians here.

We thank Professor Richard Hickman, editor, each of the volume editors and all contributors for making this definitive work possible. 

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House of Lords question on arts A levels

Cross-bencher Baroness Deborah Bull has tabled an oral question for debate in the House of Lords, 11 March 2019, 2.30pm.

The question will focus on the: 'Impact on the diversity of those working in the cultural and creative industries of low levels of provision of arts subjects at A-Level to those in deprived areas.'

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BBC and Arts Council England partner for new talent development scheme

New Creatives is a new network formed by a partnership between the BBC and Arts Council England. The network aims to give give artists aged 16-30 the chance to develop their technical and creative skills and have work commissioned for BBC platforms.

The deadline for applications is midnight, Sunday 10 March 2019.

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SEAD Spring Term Network Meeting

The next NSEAD:SEAD (South East Art & Design) Network Group Meeting will take place on Saturday 30 March 2019; at Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS

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