Nicholas Tromans
Curator, Watts Gallery, Surrey
“My children go to one of the tiny number of state schools that offers A-level history of art, so I’ve heard the fallout from this at close hand. The subject was already in a vulnerable place, but the argument put forward that it was too difficult to assess does not convince. I’m sure the Museums Association and others would have been ready to advise and recruit examiners. My hope is that teachers of sciences, geography, music and history will bring more of their students to museums, and not assume that some other discipline has them covered.”
Matthew Partington
Programme leader for MA/MFA curating, University of the West of England
“Scrapping the A-level will erode socio-cultural diversity among museum curators and visitors alike. The government’s championing of Stem subjects has already cast history of art as a ‘soft option’ preserve of the privileged, and university tuition fees have forced students to question the vocational viability of their course before other considerations. As a comprehensive-educated history of art graduate, I believe that scrapping the A-level means people like me would not have gone on to visit museums and galleries, let alone become the next generation of curators.”
Lesley Butterworth
General secretary, National Society for Education in Art and Design
“During my career I have taught art history and worked in museums and galleries. Study of the history of art gives a framework and context essential for young people to become confident and critical audiences within the museum sector, and as emerging museum professionals it provides the critical skills to research, analyse and comment on the visual world. Art history is interdisciplinary and fascinating, taking in the history of ideas, human endeavour, creativity, enquiry and expression. We deny this to young people at our peril.”
Paul Hobson
Director, Modern Art Oxford
“Cutting history of art is another blow to the already low status of the arts in English schools. It is vital to understand that this will have a damaging and long-lasting effect on the interest in, and knowledge of, the arts in young adults thinking about their future careers. It will lead to a reduction in talent entering the creative sector as arts and creative professionals. This is another obstacle to be overcome by teaching professionals and those of us in the arts who work with young people to develop and fulfil the creative potential of our society.”
Curator, Watts Gallery, Surrey
“My children go to one of the tiny number of state schools that offers A-level history of art, so I’ve heard the fallout from this at close hand. The subject was already in a vulnerable place, but the argument put forward that it was too difficult to assess does not convince. I’m sure the Museums Association and others would have been ready to advise and recruit examiners. My hope is that teachers of sciences, geography, music and history will bring more of their students to museums, and not assume that some other discipline has them covered.”
Matthew Partington
Programme leader for MA/MFA curating, University of the West of England
“Scrapping the A-level will erode socio-cultural diversity among museum curators and visitors alike. The government’s championing of Stem subjects has already cast history of art as a ‘soft option’ preserve of the privileged, and university tuition fees have forced students to question the vocational viability of their course before other considerations. As a comprehensive-educated history of art graduate, I believe that scrapping the A-level means people like me would not have gone on to visit museums and galleries, let alone become the next generation of curators.”
Lesley Butterworth
General secretary, National Society for Education in Art and Design
“During my career I have taught art history and worked in museums and galleries. Study of the history of art gives a framework and context essential for young people to become confident and critical audiences within the museum sector, and as emerging museum professionals it provides the critical skills to research, analyse and comment on the visual world. Art history is interdisciplinary and fascinating, taking in the history of ideas, human endeavour, creativity, enquiry and expression. We deny this to young people at our peril.”
Paul Hobson
Director, Modern Art Oxford
“Cutting history of art is another blow to the already low status of the arts in English schools. It is vital to understand that this will have a damaging and long-lasting effect on the interest in, and knowledge of, the arts in young adults thinking about their future careers. It will lead to a reduction in talent entering the creative sector as arts and creative professionals. This is another obstacle to be overcome by teaching professionals and those of us in the arts who work with young people to develop and fulfil the creative potential of our society.”
