Further cuts in HE funding for arts subjects

[Richard Barrett]

Many public schools have invested millions in music and theatre faculties and tuition

Helped no doubt by their charitable status! My point was that composers (to name only an area I know about) are already overwhelmingly drawn from privileged backgrounds, and the policy under discussion here is going to exacerbate that inequality.

[Dave2002]

Very interesting that Holbein the Younger's father (presumably Holbein the elder!) great artist though he was (with a workshop and all that) was reduced to penury. Unlike Italian masters with impossibly wealthy patrons, many north European artists were paid as if they were lowly tradesmen. This was hinted at on R4's programme this morning: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000vq74

Though some managed to become poor presumably through their own efforts or lack of them - Rembrandt being one example. Were they just careless?

[Serial_Apologist]

Helped no doubt by their charitable status! My point was that composers (to name only an area I know about) are already overwhelmingly drawn from privileged backgrounds, and the policy under discussion here is going to exacerbate that inequality.

That has unquestionably already been happening in the world of jazz in recent decades - one doesn't of course ask "Were you public school educated?" - its obvious in the speech and bearing, especially In London. While overjoyed that jazz remains an attraction for young musicians, it has affected the character of the music, in which subtlety and let's say an impression of unworldliness and whimsy is noticeable in the character of a lot of what is being produced - not always necessarily a bad thing but it can be at the expense of urgency in the music and its presentation. Some of the best young British jazz has been coming from the black and other non-white communities since the 1980s, a fact that can I believe be put down to their being largely state-educated.

[oddoneout]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/06/plans-for-50-funding-cut-to-arts-subjects-at-universities-catastrophic

According to DfE spokesperson

Our proposed reforms only affect the additional funding allocated towards some creative subjects...

Well that's alright then - except that "some" includes music, dance, drama, performing arts. Apparently the consultation recommends making a " small number of courses exempt from the cuts, such as for orchestral string players", according to the MU.

[Ein Heldenleben]

https://www.theguardian.com/educatio...s-catastrophic
According to DfE spokesperson

Well that's alright then - except that "some" includes music, dance, drama, performing arts. Apparently the consultation recommends making a " small number of courses exempt from the cuts, such as for orchestral string players", according to the MU.

One point I would make is that there are an awful lot of students on practical Arts courses where there is very little prospect of employment in that sector. There is one journalism speciality course which turns out per year approx the sum total of all journalists employed in that sector. I would even question the point of a three year journalism course. University education has expanded , in my view , way beyond the number who would benefit from it. Meanwhile in some towns it’s almost impossible to get a plumber.

[oddoneout]

One point I would make is that there are an awful lot of students on practical Arts courses where there is very little prospect of employment in that sector. There is one journalism speciality course which turns out per year approx the sum total of all journalists employed in that sector. I would even question the point of a three year journalism course. University education has expanded , in my view , way beyond the number who would benefit from it. Meanwhile in some towns it’s almost impossible to get a plumber.

That's true of many courses I imagine, and the result presumably of pushing youngsters to university and the academic route rather than offering(or maintaining) alternatives that might serve many better and help with the skills shortage we hear so much about. It doesn't meant that just cutting funding by 50 % is a good way to deal with things? Mind you direct control of training places as happens with medicine has its limitations as we are seeing now.

[Roslynmuse]

Transferable skills. Someone who does a four year music degree at a Conservatoire has learned a whole raft of skills that can be applied to a range of careers. Whilst many people go into these courses thinking of them as vocational, they are much more than that.

[Serial_Apologist]

Transferable skills. Someone who does a four year music degree at a Conservatoire has learned a whole raft of skills that can be applied to a range of careers. Whilst many people go into these courses thinking of them as vocational, they are much more than that.

It must at a minimum qualify one for working in bars, for a start, but leave one in something of a clef stick where other career options are concerned.

[ardcarp]

something of a clef stick

Pint of Bass, please.

[oddoneout]

It must at a minimum qualify one for working in bars, for a start, but leave one in something of a clef stick where other career options are concerned.

Going into politics - banging the drum, clarion calls, blowing one's own trumpet, fiddling...

[Bryn]

Just a reminder: https://www.campaignforthearts.org/p...her-education/

[Bryn]

Then there's the official one: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/572300