Future of Art History A Level Roundtable

Many of those working within educational institutions and cultural industries have offered a strong critique of AQA’s move to eradicate the Art History A-level from the curriculum in England.

Since then, Edexcel have announced that they will provide an Art History A level, providing a much-needed lifeline to the subject, although the precariousness and devaluing of art subjects more broadly still poses many dangers for those working in the areas of art, heritage and culture.

Professor Abigail Harrison Moore, who has been critically involved in challenging the government’s actions regarding art and culture in the curriculum, will lead a roundtable on this pertinent issue. Colleagues are invited to review the responses to AQA’s decision and discuss the implications for both educational and cultural practice, looking broadly at the potential social and cultural impact both within the industry and beyond.

This has potential repercussions for those working across a wide range of disciplines and we welcome interdisciplinary attendance in order to take a broad view. All staff and students with an interest in art history, education, curriculum and the potential repercussions of these changes are invited to attend. We believe that this is relevant to academic, student education and professional roles within the University.

Attendees are advised to watch or read the transcript of the recent House of Lords debate on the matter prior to the roundtable. The transcript is available here.

Please register your attendance with Laura Jarvis-King at l.jarvis@leeds.ac.uk who will be able to send further materials for the roundtable.

This is the last research seminar of the semester. Attendees are invited to join us afterwards for a wine reception in the Student Common Room, as part of a private view of a new exhibition of work by PhD student Louise Atkinson: Souvenirs from the British Isles.

Location details

Room G. 04, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies