Now More Than Ever: Arts and Cultural Education is a Human Right

In January of this year, we launched Campaign 2020: Arts and Cultural Education as a Fundamental, Civil, and Human Right.

Wow, did we not know what was coming!

Since this launch, we have survived a global pandemic, we are facing a worldwide recession, and throughout we saw civil uprisings working to dismantle systems of oppression and White Supremacy around the globe. And throughout all of this, young creatives and their educators stayed centered on the goal to lead through the arts and culture in order to envision a new future. 

As we enter the beginning of the end of the year 2020, we still have work to do. Our commitment to the fundamental, civil, and human right to arts and cultural education for every young person remains strong, but we must demonstrate that through action. In light of the pandemic, recession, and uprisings, governments are making tough decisions to eliminate access to arts and cultural learning for young people – this is not okay.

We know that arts and cultural education can be a lifeline for youth facing difficult circumstances. The arts and culture can be a community healing activity from collective trauma. Further, we know that the solutions we desire come from the creativity and ingenuity of the next generation; if we do not inculcate that now, we may face dire consequences in the future.

So, please join with us in our renewed commitment to this cause. Join Campaign 2020 Now!

What is at stake?

Earlier this year, I articulated the rationale underpinning this campaign. For generations, young artists and creatives have been at the center of policy debates in town councils and community gatherings through the long-standing work of community-based programs which are fueled by artists, educators, and community leaders. However, over time, the work of young creatives has been diminished by the oversimplification and tokenism of talent-focused arts learning.

Globally, we have started to see shifts in the global narrative about arts and cultural education, especially through the last few years. Our own research at Creative Generation has suggested new approaches to arts and cultural education, which will develop the creative capabilities for young people to tackle global challenges locally. As such, we have seen nations passing similar policies to support this type of work.

However, with the pandemic, and subsequent impacts of community upheaval, our leaders have stopped making these choices. For example, In June, the Greek Ministry of education removed the arts from the curriculum. Similarly, the UK is fighting a battle to ensure the arts are not impacted form educational cuts.

There are some beacons of hope. In New Zealand, principals are calling for the arts to be central for all students upon return to school. This speaks to the country’s general theme to keep focused on the health and wellbeing of citizens despite potential economic impact.

However, there is still work to be done.

What do we know?

We know that the arts can be considered a human right through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention of the Rights of the Child. We also know that virtually all countries have stated in law or regulation that they will deliver arts and cultural education to their country’s youth.

We also know that through the pandemic, arts and cultural education organizations innovated rapidly to address the changing needs of young people. We have seen how arts and cultural education programs have supported young artists as they lead the way to document the monumental fight for racial and social justice in communities and create new art to move forward the mission. 

What are we doing?

Inspired by these young people, Creative Generation is putting more attention to and money behind supporting young people than ever.

Following their example, we ourselves, have teamed up with our friends at the Teaching Artistry podcast to amplify the anti-racist and abolitionist practices of educators working in the arts. 

In a forthcoming issue of Arts Education Policy Review, Dennie Palmer Wolf and I, catalogued many of the changes we’re observing through a new framework to help educational leaders during crisis. This will publish in August, and we will be sure to distribute the learnings far and wide.

Since I launched Campaign 2020 at the start of the year, the team at Creative Generation has quintupled in size. We’re now a team of six folks with distinct points of view, who are each committed to championing arts and cultural education, social justice activism, and anti-racism. This growth spurt is a testament to how important this work is and how much Creative Generation values it.

What can you do?

We’d love for you to become a part of our movement.

  1. First, you can pledge your support to the campaign as an individual or organization. By signing up, we will send you monthly actions you can easily take in your own community.

  2. Second, you can read the rationale behind this campaign and become familiar with the language.

  3. Third, you can tell friends, colleagues, and others in your networks to join as well. Be sure to share this blog post on social media and tag us using @Campaign4GenC.

With your support,  we know that we can make a difference, but we need you. Take the first step and join our campaign!