Head of Research contributes towards an All-Party Parliamentary Group

The APPG for Art, Craft and Design in Education was set up by Sharon Hodgson MP, alongside former president of the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) Susan Coles, with the aim of advocating for the right to art education for all. The group currently includes Professor Sam Broadhead (Head of Research, Leeds Arts University), Maddy Gilliam (Researcher, Tate & University of Nottingham), Sophie Leach (Deputy General Secretary, NSEAD), Dr Kate Noble, (Senior Research Associate, The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge Museums) and Professor Pat Thomson, (Professor of Education, University of Nottingham).

Professor Broadhead was part of a steering group requested by Sharon Hodgson MP to undertake research to investigate what is currently happening in art and design education across all stages. Professor Broadhead’s initial report ‘What are the long-term benefits of investing in art, craft & design in education for learning, culture, wellbeing and society?’ can be viewed and downloaded from the Leeds Arts University Research Repository. From this report, the group identified a need for a more systematic and focused inquiry that focused on Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary and Secondary Education, and evidence sessions designed to support the research from various experts in the field. The Art Now inquiry report was compiled by the APPG, working collaboratively in writing, reading and reviewing the report.

The report was launched at Westminster on 27 June 2023 and can be downloaded here.