The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre, a UK industry body offering quality assurance and support to institutions delivering training, education and assessment in the performing arts, has launched its Manifesto for Performing Arts Education.

Key among the recommendations proposed is a greater bringing together of in- and out-of-school performing arts provision, such as through extending the music hubs model to include dance and drama, and by capturing and drawing together the achievements of young people’s artistic activities both within and outside school through digital learner logs.

The manifesto also calls for a review of school qualifications in performing arts, to address the 44 per cent decline in people taking GCSEs in related subjects, and a 48 per cent decline for A-Levels, since 2010. Areas it proposes looking at include the way that such subjects cover contemporary genres, modern practices, digital engagement and entrepreneurship.

The document also reiterates the economic contribution of the performing arts sector in the country, citing a figure of £125bn for the UK economy, accounting for 7 percent of total UK jobs filled, as a reminder of the importance of strengthening training in the sector.

‘This is not to ask for charity,’ argues Glyndwr Jones, Director of the CDMT of the Manifesto's recommendations. ‘As well as improving life outcomes, and giving space to artistic expression of all types, the performing arts industry contributes hugely to the UK economy, and in this context the maintenance of a viable pipeline of talent through to the highest professional levels makes financial, as well as cultural, philosophical and humanitarian sense.’

The document also stresses the impact of creativity on the well-being and development on young people, and highlights the importance of ensuring this is available to all. ‘Many children and young people today face unprecedented challenges, with those from underrepresented, and often intersecting groups, such as learners from the global majority, low-income families, job seekers, looked after children, young carers and those with disabilities being disproportionately impacted,’ the document says.

The CDMT’s Manifesto for Performing Arts Education, which is supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and The Mackintosh Foundation, is available to read here.
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