NSEAD Trade Union members have given us a very clear response to the question of whether they should take industrial action in protest at the pay awards being proposed for teachers. Alongside our fellow education trade unions, we have been consulting with members to determine support for action.

Both NSEAD and the NEU conducted an online consultative ballot carried out by an independent scrutineer, as well as internal surveys. Our consultative ballot for those Trade Union members working in schools in England closed on Friday, 14 October. An overwhelming majority did not indicate their support for strike action or action short of strike.

As recorded by the scrutineers, just 17% of our membership actively indicated that they would be prepared to strike, and 18% to take action short of strike. 

Amongst members of the NEU, the percentage indicating support for strike action was 53%; a narrow majority, but given the challenges ahead, it is by no means a certainty that their ballot will result in strike action next term.

I want to thank all of our members for your careful, principled attention at this crucial moment for the profession. I know that every one of you is weighing up the individual circumstances in your schools, colleges and universities as we contemplate devastating cuts to budgets and a UK economy that is in a precarious position.

Industrial action of course sends a powerful message to Government and employers – but it is only part of the story. Together NSEAD members will find creative ways to protest, lobby and achieve the change that we all need: for teachers, for learners, for the future of our subject.

Michele Gregson

General Secretary

Three weeks to go for the iJADE 2022 conference! Anyone with an interest in art, craft and design education is welcome to attend one, two or all three days of the conference - book now or reach out to us if you have any queries.

One of our keynote speakers for Saturday 12 November is Dr Bianca Beetson a practising artist, researcher and activist.

Bianca has lectured and directed the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (BCAIA) degree at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University and is currently the Director of the Indigenous Research Unit at the same institution. Bianca was also a founding member of the seminal Indigenous arts collective, proppaNOW.

Dr Bianca Beetson will be speaking alongside Dr Belinda Macgill, after a selection of parallel sessions.

When: Tomorrow, Thursday 20 October 16.00-17.00

Where: Online

Join other NSEAD members, staff and members of council for an informal online gathering - we'll be chatting, networking and running Q&A clinics for you to talk about anything that is on your mind.

We will also be continuing conversations around:

• Art and D&T using art areas of study for GCSE entry
• Social media and micro-aggressions: how can we harness our community’s creativity and be a safe space and a place for compassionate activism?

We hope you can make it!

Deadline for applications: 26 October 2022, 12 noon.

NSEAD is developing a brand new website called The Big Landscape, which will become a key resource for the profession, providing not only quality content, but also encouraging conversations, exchange and learning.

Born out of the Big Landscape Research Group, the website will provide members with guidance that defines and exemplifies ‘better practice’ in art and design.

NSEAD is now looking for a dynamic individual who can manage the set-up of the first phase of the Big Landscape project. 

If you missed the last NSEAD Primary Facebook Live with art consultant Paul Carney, you can catch up on our YouTube channel here.

We have loads of art education video content for you to browse and watch, whenever you have the need for some inspiration!

The next Primary Art: Ask NSEAD facebook live is in December, so head over to Facebook and join the group!

This twilight session, in partnership with the Royal Opera House’s Create & Design team, focussed on the value and ability to utilise industry led learning in the classroom with reference to Create & Design (KS1-3) and ROH Design Challenge (Secondary and FE/HE). The session included a set design making workshop ‘How a designer takes an idea from the page to the stage’ for you to follow along with.

NSEAD has developed a thorough guide that will help you to understand how to secure a successful outcome to your performance management cycle. The guide will also help you to ensure that the plans for the next cycle enhance your career development and maximise the opportunity for pay progression.

Sign into the website and visit the resource on the Trade Union FAQs page here.

When: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-12:00 or 13:00-14:30

Where: The British Library, London

Cost: Free

What is an artist’s book? And why are they made?

Whilst an artist’s book can be a work of art in book form, it can also experiment with that form. Discover the wonder of these unique objects in these hands-on workshops for primary and secondary students.

Led by art specialists, learners will create their own artist book to take back to the classroom.

This year's creative postcard exchange will focus on the theme of 'Climate Change' and will involve schools from across Ireland and the UK (artwork being completed between Oct - Dec 2022). The student artwork will be exhibited in the British Embassy Dublin and will also be showcased in a venue in Leicestershire (exhibitions in Jan and Feb 2023).

Funding received from the British Embassy and British Council will enable organisers to offer a group online workshop/talk with an eco artist. There may also be an opportunity for a joint trip to the National Gallery for a curator's talk on the major exhibition of J.M.W Turner's work, The Sun is God in Tate Britain. 

Any school interested in taking part should email the organiser Fergal Kilkenny Packs will be sent in the next few weeks and will contain blank postcards (30) and resources that may act as inspiration for their students. 

When: 9 November 2022, 17.00-19.00 and 22 February 2023, 17.00-19.00

Come and join a growing community of teachers exploring how educational disadvantage can be addressed through a decolonising lens. Facilitated by Dr Clare Stanhope, Head of Art in a south-east London school, and founder of the Centre for Creative Explorations. This two-part workshop is directed at secondary teachers of all subjects.

The two workshops offer:

• An opportunity to reflect on your practice, share experiences and learn from others in a relaxed and supportive environment  
• Tools that will help to build confidence to explore anti-racism and decolonisation in your schemes of work
• The chance to be a part of co-creating a new teaching resource, as part of the South London Gallery’s Making Sense programme

NEATEN North East Art Teacher Educator Network

Skills Share Session on Printmaking

When: Thu 20 Oct 2022 16:30-18:30

Where: Framwellgate School, DH1 5BQ

NEATEN The Big Draw: Colour Rap

When: 22 Oct 2022, 13.00-16.00 

Where: Durham Sixth Form Centre, NE38 7HN

NEATEN Termly Meeting

When: Thurs 10 November 2022, 17.00-19.00

Where: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Level 1

The 2023 Spirited Arts competition, created and organised by our friends at RE subject association, NATRE, and supported by the Jo Cox Foundation, is now open for entries. Through the competition, young people are invited to develop works of art that explore important topics relating to religion and world views: ranging from the existence of God, to climate change, and human division.

There are a range of voucher prizes for different categories. This year's themes are:

• “We have far more in common with each other than that which divides us.”

• Green faith, green future? (‘God’s good earth’)

• Where is God today?

• Faith in action, Values in action

• Sacred Space and Holy Buildings

This is a great competition (and prize!) for young people aged between 14 and 24.  The winning trophy designer has the chance to see their 3D printed design presented to the winner(s) of the 2023 QEPrize in London, and they will receive a high-end laptop as well as a replica trophy.

Download the QE Prize 3D Design Studio free app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, to create a trophy for the world’s greatest engineers. The winner will receive a state-of-the-art laptop!

The competition is open to anyone aged 14-24 worldwide. Entries must be received by 4 December 2022. 

The new Briefing paper from the Cultural Learning Alliance and the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC), published with funding from Arts Council England, sets out why an arts-rich early years matters for children.

Evidence shared by the Cultural Learning Alliance demonstrates the arts enrich young lives, making them happier and healthier. Music and art play an important part in setting children up to learn to read and write. Study after study shows an arts-rich home learning environment results in better outcomes for children in later life.

When: 27 January 2023 (In person, Faversham, Kent) and 2 February 2023 (online).

Who: UK-based primary and special school teachers - experienced art teachers and those just starting on their art teaching journeys. 

Bootcamps are designed to inspire, support and up-skill teachers who want to champion the arts curriculum and plan creative projects for the summer term. The Bootcamp also support your school with the Art Builders programme.

Bootcamps are hands-on and ethos-driven intensives! You’ll meet like-minded teachers, plan your school project, and up-skill your art offer. Artist Jo Peel will be leading a creative session on the face-to-face Bootcamp day.

To celebrate 200 years since the founding of the National Gallery, there will be a major transformation of the Pigott Education Centre.

As part of the re-design process, the National Gallery is working with engagement specialist Kaizen to facilitate an engagement group of teachers who will work with the design team, over a series of three workshops, as the designs for the Pigott Education Centre are developed and finalised.

The workshops will be held online and each workshop will be 2-hours long and run from 16.00-18.00.

The broad focus and dates for each workshop are:

• Workshop 1 - 1 Nov - introducing the project and exploring key themes and principles
• Workshop 2 - 29 Nov - exploring and discussing the initial design concepts
• Workshop 3 - 10 Jan - sharing and gathering feedback on the updated designs

If you would like to be a part of the engagement group please complete this short expression of interest form. The aim is to have an engagement group that reflects the diversity of schools within the sector.

When: Friday, 21 October, 10.00

Where: YouTube 

Rob Biddulph is a bestselling, award-winning children's book author and illustrator (proof that you can have a successful and fulfilling career in the creative industries!). You may know his book Odd Dog Out, about how 'being different is really great'.

Rob regularly records and shares Draw-Along sessions, and this Friday at 10am over on his YouTube channel, you'll be able to follow along to a special Halloween themed one. 

Deadline for applications: Sunday 20 November

Hauser & Wirth Somerset opened in July 2014 and has welcomed over 900,000 visitors. The Hauser & Wirth ethos sits at the very heart of the gallery - it is a place where art can successfully merge with architecture, craft, learning, community, landscape, food and farming - opening the door for creative ideas and collaborations.

Based in Somerset, this full-time position will provide support to the development and delivery learning initiatives.

The success of the previous three residences have created interesting opportunities for pushing the boundaries of art education, helping CCE to develop innovative creative research practices, and support the empowerment of our young people.

An Artist in Residence studio space is now on offer which is based in the midst of the exciting space that is Harris Girls Academy East Dulwich Art department, and as always the chance to work with the incredible young people who drive all of the CCE projects.

Deadline for applications: Monday 31 October 2022

Engage is the UK’s leading network for visual arts engagement and participation. 

The post holder will lead a responsive programme supporting the visual arts engagement and participation workforce, supporting members through training, networking, advocacy, awards, participation in Engage UK-wide initiatives and focused work that addresses inequalities in the visual arts in Scotland, with specific regard to issues of race and disability. 

Buckinghamshire New University

BA (Hons) Fashion Design 

BA (Hons) Fashion Business 

Closing Date:  November 10, 2022

University Centre Leeds

FD Animation

Closing Date: 4 November, 2022

Leeds Arts University

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Closing date: 21 October 2022

Newcastle College University Centre 

BA (Hons) Illustration

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) 

BA (Hons) Fine Art degree

The Northern School of Art 

• BA (Hons) Animation

• BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen

• BA (Hons) Fine Art

• BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX

• BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen

• BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design

• MA Arts Practice

• MA Design Practice

 Closing Date: 28 October 2022.

Our latest art education advocacy quote is taken from a recent interview between NSEAD's President Elect Marlene Wylie and ceramicist Dame Magdalene Odundo. The conversation was captured on film at the Fitzwilliam Museum, which recently held a 10-month exhibition of Magdalene Odundo's work. The full interview will be screened as part of the iJADE 2022 conference on Sunday 14 November. We can't wait to share it! The film was made in collaboration with the Fitzwilliam Museum and NSEAD.