Ensuring art and design instruction is accessible for schoolchildren is crucial
The Victoria & Albert Museum, founded with the mission to serve as a central storehouse of Science and Art for the entire Kingdom, continues to inspire and educate visitors and students alike. The museum, located in South Kensington, London SW7, is set to host a new blockbuster exhibition, Cartier, from 12th April, 2025.
At the heart of the exhibition is the Manchester Tiara, a sublime achievement of the House of Cartier, made in Paris in 1903 for Consuelo, Dowager Duchess of Manchester. This magnificent piece of jewellery is a triumph of graduated flaming hearts and C scrolls, featuring more than 1,000 brilliant-cut and over 400 rose-cut diamonds. The Manchester Tiara, inspired by a vision of pre-revolutionary France, is a testament to the French maison's commitment to artistry and craftsmanship.
The V&A Museum has always been a source of inspiration for artists and designers. The late Sir Anthony Caro, a world-class sculptor, declared that artists go to the V&A Museum for sustenance. William Morris, a renowned designer, also found inspiration in the museum's collection. The museum's new exhibition is expected to inspire a new generation of makers and artists.
Creativity is becoming increasingly vital for employability and is one of the top three 'future skills' needed to flourish in a fast-changing, technological world. However, the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) system has had a significant negative impact on art and design education in the UK by prioritizing a narrow set of academic subjects. This focus on core academic disciplines has led to a decline in arts A-level entries since 2010.
Despite these challenges in the school sector, universities and colleges such as Northumbria University and the Open College of the Arts continue to offer extensive, multidisciplinary art and design programs. These institutions maintain strong and varied pathways in art and design education, offering students a broad exposure across multiple specialisms and emphasizing creative thinking and societal impact of design work.
It is important for parents, governors, and citizens to voice their commitment to the teaching of art and design in schools and support the broader ecosystem of creativity. The declining capacity of local-authority museums and galleries, which hold historic collections that can inspire new makers and designers, is a concern. The V&A Museum offers programs like V&A Innovate and DesignLab Nation to inspire young students in art and design.
The economic contribution of the UK creative industries grew by 6.8% in 2022 to reach £124.6 billion. British luxury, including fashion and jewellery brands, also grew by nearly 70% between 2018 and 2022. The V&A Museum's exhibition, Cartier, is a reflection of this thriving creative industry and a celebration of the artistry and craftsmanship that it embodies.
References:
- Northumbria University. (n.d.). Design Foundation Year. Retrieved from https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/design/undergraduate-courses/design-foundation-year/
- Open College of the Arts. (n.d.). Courses. Retrieved from https://www.occa.ac.uk/courses
- Department for Education. (2019). English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measures. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-baccalaureate-ebacc-performance-measures/english-baccalaureate-ebacc-performance-measures
- Office for National Statistics. (2023). Creative industries. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/industrysector/industrystandardclassifications/creativeindustries/bulletins/creativeindustriesstandardclassificationofeconomicactivitiesscopedescription/2023-03-24
- The V&A Museum's new exhibition, Cartier, is not only a celebration of the artistry and craftsmanship of the luxury industry, but also an inspiring platform for personal growth and learning in the realms of art, design, and self-development.
- Universities and colleges like Northumbria University and the Open College of the Arts continue to play a significant role in the education-and-self-development sector by offering comprehensive art and design programs that cultivate a broad exposure and creativity, preparing students for their part in the thriving creative industries.
