The Government wants to impose a catastrophic 50% funding cut to arts subjects at higher education (HE) level in England.
The Office for Students (OfS), which distributes Government funding to support HE providers, said: “The Government proposes that the courses that are not among its strategic priorities – covering subjects in music, dance, drama and performing arts; art and design; media studies; and archaeology – are to be subject to a reduction of 50 percent.”
In his guidance letter to the OfS, education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The OfS should reprioritise funding towards the provision of high-cost, high-value subjects … We would then potentially seek further reductions in future years.”
This is an attack on the future of UK arts, the creative potential of the next generation, and the people who deliver our world-leading arts courses. Rather than segregating and devaluing the arts in this way, the Government should maintain its important investment in creative skills, ensuring that arts courses are widely accessible and properly supported.
To sign Gavin Williamson’s petition, click here.
