Ms Hughes | Assistant Head Enrichment & Pupil Welfare | Head of Art at Devonshire House School
Why Creativity Matters in a Changing World
If you’ve been out and about in London over the past few weeks, you may have spotted the Royal Academy of Art’s new advertising campaign in support of Art Education with the tagline ‘Art is a serious subject’.
As the focus on English and Mathematics intensifies when we approach the 11+ and 13+ entrance exams, it is commonly at the expense of the Creative Arts.
Arts education is about so much more than learning drawing techniques or musical notes. It nurtures creativity and sparks imaginations; it encourages problem solving, builds confidence and resilience; enhances self-expression and communication; it helps us to look at things differently.
In a world where more and more of our lives are becoming automated and we prepare our children for a workforce that is evolving at a rapid pace, driven by technology and AI, the ‘soft skills’ learnt in creative subjects equip them to be adaptable, innovative and empathetic – thoroughly human skills that will always be in demand.
I am proud that at Devonshire House we balance our academic curriculum with a robust offering of Art, Music and Drama. We have many passionate advocates for the Arts amongst our staff, who enrich our curriculum and provide wonderful opportunities for our students. Their lessons are full of creativity and joy every single week.
By fostering imagination and self-expression, independent schools need to prepare students not just for exams, but for life. The joy and creativity they experience today will shape the adaptable, innovative leaders of tomorrow.
