Art, Design and Media November update

To all the centres that have recently enjoyed a school break, I hope you were able to take some time to relax and recharge. I also hope that the school year is going well for everyone and that you are finding it to be productive and fulfilling.

Please take a moment to explore the resources in this update, mark the training events in your calendar, and familiarise yourself with relevant news and information. We are here to support you in creating a positive and inclusive learning environment for your students.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Wishing you continued success this school year!

Click on the link to your sector to read relevant updates for your qualification(s):

   
  Helpful Resources and Inspiration

NSEAD iJADE 2024 Conference

This year’s iJADE conference will be held in partnership with Liverpool Hope University, with the theme of Peace. This event will take place online 7 November 2024 and in person 9 November 2024 in Liverpool.

Book the iJADE 2024 conference

Audio Descriptions of Artwork

Did you know that Art UK provides audio descriptions of artworks? These valuable resources not only assist individuals with visual impairments but also aid all learners in developing a deeper comprehension of artworks.

Check out Art UKs audio description resources 

Ways of Seeing Conference

The Association for Art History will be hosting their annual Ways of Seeing conference for all A level History of Art teachers and students on 23 November 2024. The day includes talks, discussions and workshops on ways of thinking about art in relation to a specific theme.

Book the Ways of Seeing 2024 conference

Become a Creativity Champion

64 Million Artists (supported by Pearson) have created a resource pack for schools to support delivery of The January Challenge 2025. This initiative will help more students, and more teachers feel creative at school, creating a stronger sense of community, agency, wellbeing, and a capacity to engage with the curriculum. We hope a creative January inspires a creative February and beyond!

Learn more about The January Challenge

Download the Creativity Champions pack for schools

The Superpower of Looking NEW Resource

Art UK has published a new, free resource to encourage visual literacy, taking the world of art and images as its starting point. The Superpower of Looking: a powerful portrait by Kehinde Wiley focuses on Wiley's 2020 painting 'Portrait of Melissa Thompson'. 

View the free teaching resource from Art UK

V&A Innovate

V&A Innovate is an annual National Schools Challenge, asking students in years 7, 8 and 9 to work in teams of 4 – 6 to design a solution to a real-world problem. Deadline for entry is 10 January 2025.

Learn more and register to take part

Art Bytes

Art Bytes is a national art and EdTech programme for primary, secondary and SEND schools, combining an inter-school art competition with a bespoke virtual gallery. It aims to nurture talent, raise ambition and develop confidence, as well as support mental health and help develop vital skills for future employment.

Learn more about Art Bytes 

Free How-To Guides

The eduction supplier Dryad publishes a series of free how-to guides, centered around a wide range of artistic mediums including printmaking, painting, drawing, and more. These guides offer helpful tutorials for both educators and learners alike.

Explore the free How-To Guides

Culture and Place Data Explorer

The Arts Council England have launched an interactive tool help build a detailed picture of what culture and creativity looks like in a specific area. The Culture and Place Data Explorer can instantly produce detailed reports and dashboards of local authority areas with local, regional and national comparisons.

Learn more about the Culture and Place Data Explorer tool