Levelling up the creative industries starts now.
Something odd is happening in the UK's creative industries. 🌍 New research released by the PEC this week shows that the creative industries are an "export success story" which have continued to grow since 2010, accounting for 7.1% of all UK jobs. Great news, except... 🎨 The government has spent the last few years dismantling creative education in state schools, while pushing compulsory maths. 🎨 As a result of government cuts, many state school pupils no longer study art. 🎨 76% of arts teachers want to leave the profession. 🎨 Some local areas have seen their arts budgets reduced to zero. Nothing. No money. You don't need a maths degree to see this doesn't add up. But there's more... 🤔 Creative subjects are a major selling point for private schools. 🤔 Two thirds of employment growth in the creative industries between 2015-2020 was taken up by people from high income backgrounds. 🤔 Over half (52%) of people working in creative occupations in 2019 came from privileged backgrounds. 🤔 Almost half of all British nominees for the Mercury Prize, Oscars and BAFTAs over the last 10 years were privately educated, compared to just 6% of the population. What's really going on here? The creative industries shape everything we see, read and feel about ourselves as a society. For decades they've been a vehicle for social progress and given a voice to the ordinary people of Britain. If they continue to be closed off to all but a privileged few, we will never get that voice back. Our stories will be told to us, not by us. Culture will lose its power to inspire. This is why it's absolutely vital that creative businesses help to develop the next generation of state schooled talent by making Class and / or socio-economic background a diversity priority. There are some amazing organisations doing work in this space. Feel free to comment below or message us at Common People for reccs and guidance.
