Time In Art

Time in Art: A Free Conference on the Impact of Time on Student Enrolment

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wisely noted that “Art is long, and time is fleeting,” beautifully encapsulating the essence of time required to create art. Yet, today’s students often feel overwhelmed by the time commitment of studying art, viewing it as an obstacle to their potential.

Art stands unique as a cross-curricular discipline that celebrates creativity, allowing every student to flourish irrespective of their skills, aspirations, or interests. It instils valuable lessons in discipline, versatility, and resilience. The art curriculum embodies the diverse experiences and talents of all students, equipping them with lifelong skills that enrich every aspect of their lives—an opportunity that every school should provide.

Regrettably, many students who deserve the chance to explore this vital subject hesitate to engage, feeling that “art is long, and time is fleeting.” This concern is particularly prominent among high-achieving students who often forgo art, perceiving it as incompatible with their academic trajectories.

The ambiguity surrounding the volume of work expected from students within limited timeframes has become a significant barrier, as echoed by parents, staff, and students alike: they simply feel they lack the time to pursue art.

This challenge has persisted for years, and the pandemic has only intensified the situation. The decline in student enrolment subsequently impacts staffing, resource allocation, and the quality of programmes schools provide.

Join a united assembly of art educators at the “Time in Art” conference, where we will discuss how to safeguard the future of art in schools:

- What role can exam boards and the curriculum review play in clarifying the expected quantity of students' artwork?

- What is a realistic expectation for students given the time available?

- How can we foster an environment where all students, including those in STEM fields, feel empowered to study art?

This conference will be led by Nitya Paul, Head of Art at Burlington Danes Academy, a school renowned for empowering students to achieve exceptional GCSE and A-level results year after year.

She will be joined by a consortium of art educators from esteemed institutions, including Harris, Ark and United Learning, as well as universities such as Courtauld, UAL, and the Royal Drawing School, along with representatives from organisations like NEU, NSEAD, TATE and 14th Factory.

The Panel will include representatives from AQA, EDEXCEL, and OCR exam boards as well as current and past art students.

The Time in Art conference aims to inspire a future where every student can harness the skills and experiences gained through the study of art.

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