23/06/2026
This oneās been sitting on my heart for a while š¤
Is an art education a waste of time? My honest answer isā¦ it depends entirely on where you get itā¦ but if you get a good one? Absolutely without a doubt. Arts education is so important and is sadly often under-valued.
My school and college years gave me everything ā confidence, a safe space, a love of creating that I still carry today. But university, although I learnt so much about the history, philosophy and theory of art, actually left me more confused about who I was as an artist than when I started. I kept feeling like I had to change my work to please my tutors, and I left believing I just didnāt have what it takesā¦ even until recently I found it hard to even say āIām an artistā.
It took me a long time to realise that wasnāt true. I just didnāt fit one very narrow, very specific idea of what āreal artā is supposed to be ā and the snobbery that exists in parts of the fine art world does this to so many talented, passionate people.
Art is one of the most important things we can give our children and young people. Letās protect it ā and letās stop gatekeeping who gets to call themselves an artist.
As a teacher I always strived to ensure my lessons could feel like a safe space as well as an art lesson and that every single person can be an artist. Regardless of your class, your background, your beliefs or values.
Swipe through and let me know your experience below š Iād really love to hear it.
