- Equality of Opportunity through Arts Education
The Second Widening Participation in the Arts Conference.
Tuesday 17th July 2018, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
Following the success of the first INTO THE ARTS Conference in 2016, with prestigious key-note speakers, Wayne Hemingway MBE, Professor Daniel Charny, Lady Francis Sorrell OBE and Sorrel Hershberg, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a second conference on Tuesday 17th July. For Arts, Design and Media.
The creative sector demands diversity of life, social and cultural experience in the make up of the next generation of ‘cultural-creators and innovators’ (Into The Arts 2016). The creative industries form a significant part of the UK economy contributing £84.1 billion (Nesta 2016) and is the sector best supporting economic recovery. However multiple factors are challenging the diversity of applicants and access to the arts more broadly with numbers taking arts at school at their lowest in a decade (EPI 2017). Loss of many local art schools, the cost, competition and entry demands of many arts HE institutions and reduction in curriculum and take-up of arts subjects in schools has resulted in significantly diminishing diversity of applicants and access. Is this a problem for the future of young people from diverse or more challenging backgrounds with much to offer the creative sector? Does this limit the social mobility of young people from diverse and working class backgrounds? Moreover what is the impact on the future of the cultural, social and gender spread desperately needed to enrich our creative industry and the UK economy?
The second Into the Arts conference provides a valuable space to develop discussion about widening participation in the creative education sector. The conference provides a national platform for school, college and university teachers and researchers, community stakeholders and creative industry professionals to explore the relationship between the Arts and Education today.
Aims of the conference:
- Encourage practical and scholarly discussion of new methods and techniques to promote diversity, equality and inclusivity in arts education
- Identify ways of increasing access and retention in FE and HE
- Enhance the ways in which the arts can celebrate diversity, inclusivity and equality.
- Advance understanding and promotion of the role of arts contribute to a flourishing and vibrant culture, society and economy.
We are looking for a diverse range of contributions that further explore the impact and direction for Widening Participation in Art and Design Education and the impact this has beyond education.
Suggested topics may include (but are not limited to):
- What do we mean by widening participation in the contemporary context?
- What do the arts offer or inhibit in terms of widening participation? Is this distinct from other sectors?
- What is the role of art and The Art School in education and society today?
- What impact does diversifying access have on teachers and educational institutions?
- Would changes in policy, curriculum or funding help ensure education is open to all those who can benefit?
- How do we support and retain students from a diverse range of backgrounds or with complex needs?
- How can the public and private sector help?
- Does an arts education limit or increase career choices?
The conference welcomes contributions including;
- Paper presentations (abstracts of 250 words)
- Workshop proposals (abstracts of 250 words)
- Roundtable discussion proposals (abstracts of 350 words overall, including brief summary of each discussant)
- Testimonials from arts industry and education (250 words overall contribution)
- Future of Arts and Design manifestoes (250 words)
Keynote speakers to be confirmed.
Selected papers, testimonials and manifestoes will be published on the University conference website.
Submission deadline for Paper, Workshop, Round table abstracts: 9th April 2018 (notification of successful contributions 9th May 2018)
Submission deadline for Testimonials and Manifestoes: 30th April 2018 (notification of successful contributions 30th May 2018)
Use this link for submissions along with details of affiliations to: https://goo.gl/forms/DrHYw6impkw2FZrn2
Organisers: Juliana Sissons, Nick Gant, Irmi Karl, Denice Penrose.
Venue: University of Brighton, Grand Parade site: 58-68 Grand Parade, Brighton, BN2 0JY
https://www.brighton.ac.uk/index.aspx
Website: https://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/wpintothearts/
Contact: Juliana Sissons on 07958587036
Twitter: @wp_intothearts #wpintothearts
