The arts are not a frivolity – when will the government understand that?

We institutions are the pathway to the industries. How can these plans from the Department for Education co-exist alongside the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s intentions to maximise the growth of the creative industries and support one million new jobs across the UK by 2030? Is anyone talking to each other? In the past 14 years, we’ve had 12 culture secretaries and 11 ministers for higher education. What does this constant reshuffle say about the value placed on either culture or higher education, or about the direction of travel?

At the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, we know that the arts have value, that education is for all and that our industries form a vital part of the economy. Facing this latest round of attacks, our sector must send a clear message that the arts matter and that they are for everyone – that they are not a frivolity, and they are not the preserve of the elite – that millions of diverse careers are built and sustained from arts training in its widest reach from science to agriculture and business, to education, working with communities, in the West End and beyond.

Is imperative that the training and education sector advocate for the arts in the strongest possible terms

Universities UK recently reported that institutions are being asked to “deliver more with less”. Despite this, we are determined to do what we can to ensure that everyone who wants to pursue arts education can do so, regardless of their background. 

It is imperative that the training and education sector, together with the industry and our partners in STEM, advocate for the arts in the strongest possible terms. I know we can do this. As I write this, I have just left the Make a Difference conference hosted by Central and run by our brilliant colleagues together with Mig Burgess Walsh and the Association of British Theatre Technicians. 

This event brought together a community of international, national and regional partners representing our diverse stakeholders – academics, businesses, schools, outreach teams, students and the industry – to examine sector challenges and find real-world solutions. I recently opened a double-bill opera, directed with Pegasus Opera Company and supported by a brilliant team of Central-trained professionals. 

As a higher-education training provider, we are facing unprecedented challenges. But Central remains committed to investing in the future of the creative industries – and in the next generation of creative leaders. We urgently call on the government to reconsider its position and do the same.