iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 05/10/2026

CFTA responds to the House of Commons DCMS Select Committee’s inquiry into the future of the BBC ⬇️

“We welcome this report from the DCMS Select Committee, and in particular its recognition of the vital importance of the BBC to the UK’s creative ecosystem and national life.

Today, only 80% of households contribute to the BBC, but 94% of us use it each month and 100% of us benefit from its existence. The BBC is social glue, economic fuel, cultural and democratic sustenance. It is simply not possible to opt out of the benefits it brings to the UK and everyone in it – and that’s why it should be funded by everyone and made accessible to everyone, free at the point of use.

We passionately agree with the Committee that ‘a means of universal funding’ must once again underpin this universal public service, and with their urging the Government ‘to keep an open mind on a household levy as a potential future model for funding the BBC’. Ministers can and should be bold in crafting a new Charter for the BBC, built from first principles and built to last.”

– Jack Gamble, CFTA Director

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 29/09/2026

🚨 BREAKING: UK national museums & galleries "will remain free, to all of us, forever". Speaking at Tate Liverpool yesterday, Culture Sec Lisa Nandy put the debate to bed, pledging to defend free access "for all of us, and all people across the world" 🏛️ 🌍

2105 10

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 24/09/2026

🎥 In her maiden House of Lords speech, the new Arts Minister reiterated the Government's pledge to revitalise arts education. We warmly welcome @ruthmackenzie.bsky.social's commitment to that pledge. Our research continues to highlight the scale of the crisis in arts education [...]

Screengrab of Baroness Ruth Mackenzie, Arts Minister, speaking in the House of Lords, shown in three panels affirming commitments to revitalise arts education, remove EBacc constraints on subject choice, and launch a National Centre for Arts and Music Education.

Continuation of Baroness Ruth Mackenzie's speech in the House of Lords, affirming commitment to a new enrichment framework for schools and colleges and a £132.5 million dormant-asset investment via the Every Child Can programme to increase young people’s access to enrichment opportunities.

152 5

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 22/09/2026

🎙️ In June, our Director gave evidence in Parliament on the future of the BBC. 📬 Last week, the Communications and Digital Committee wrote to Lisa Nandy, and we are delighted to see them call for a "bold, confident and unapologetic" approach. CFTA's response ⬇️

Screengrab of UK Parliament Communications and Digital Committee statement calling for a "bold, confident and unapologetic" approach to the future of the BBC; below, two camera operators film a brightly lit studio production.

Quote from Jack Gamble, CFTA Director: "“I’m grateful to the Communications and Digital Committee for asking the Campaign for the Arts to give evidence to their inquiry on the BBC Charter, and I fully support their conclusions in Baroness Keeley’s excellent letter to Lisa Nandy.

The Government can and should be “bold, confident and unapologetic” in securing the future of the BBC. It is our largest cultural organisation and a cornerstone of our creative industries. It is also an antidote to the forces of fragmentation - a truly national asset which belongs to us all and connects us to one another.

A stronger BBC will make for a stronger UK - but it will need a stronger funding model, and real ambition from the UK Government at this pivotal moment.”

020 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 16/09/2026

Right now, anyone can walk through the doors of any UK national museum or gallery for free – with no barrier, booking, ID or fee. 🎉 On 1 Dec, we celebrate 25 years of this landmark policy. We’ve launched a national survey to hear what free entry has meant to you. Over to you!

Entrance to the Tate Britain, London, promoting a survey titled "Over To You: 25 Years of Free Museums & Galleries" with text "As the Government considers changes to this landmark policy, share what 25 years of free admission has meant to you in our short survey".

11512 15

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 02/09/2026

"The crisis in arts education is not just a story of falling enrolment, but widening inequality." 🗣️ CFTA Director today in @thestage.co.uk on how the figures on exam entries hide a more serious injustice. We all need the arts in our lives. www.thestage.co.uk/news/student...

Screenshot of an article in The Stage with Headline: Students in deprived areas three times less likely to take GCSE drama and an image of a group of teenage drama students sit on a studio floor, smiling and listening attentively to an instructor.

Continuation of screenshot of the same article in The Stage, reading: Responding to the new data, Jack Gamble, director of the Campaign for the Arts, said: "The crisis in arts education is not just a story of falling enrolment, but widening inequality. Every child should have opportunities to discover and develop an interest in the arts, whatever their background and whatever their postcode.

He added: “That’s why we have welcomed the government’s pledge to ‘revitalise arts education’ in England’s state-funded secondary schools and why we’re urging ministers to deliver on that pledge with the necessary policy changes, teaching staff and schools funding."

The Labour government has pledged to “revitalise arts education” following the recent independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, with promises to abolish the EBacc – which is widely traced back to being detrimental to entry numbers in arts subjects – and to reform the education measurement tool Progress 8.

122 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 26/08/2026

The Government is reviewing National Lottery funding for the first time in almost 25 years – including the 20% share that goes to the arts. Shares have shrunk before, and could again. 📸 Lamar Francois 🖼️ @derbytheatre.bsky.social Block Party 📍 Stockbrook Park, Derby

151 5

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 20/08/2026

🦠 Arts GCSEs: stagnant Down 47% since 2010, and this year shows no sign of recovery. Every subject we track has lost ground since 2010.

Steep decline in arts' share of GCSE entries since 2010: overall share down 47% with no recovery, shown by a falling stacked-area chart and a list of subject drops:
Design & Technology −75%, Performing/Expressive Arts −72%, Media/Film/TV −53%, Dance −60%, Drama −48%, Music −37%, Art & Design −3%.

101 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 13/08/2026

Arts A-levels: still vanishing 🚨 In 2010, roughly 1 in every 6.5 A-level entries was in the arts. Today, it's 1 in 10. Every single subject we track now accounts for a smaller share of entries than it did in 2010 👇

Stacked area chart showing arts A‑level share falling from 2010 to 2026 – a 34% collapse overall, with sharpest drop this year in 5 years: Performing/Expressive Arts down 68%, Dance 59%, Drama 58%, Music 52%, Design & Technology 44%, Media/Film/TV 36%, Art & Design 13%. Title: Arts A-levels still vanishing

143 4

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 30/07/2026

20,000 signatures in 5 days 🚀 At the weekend, our Director Jack Gamble spoke with @ayeshahazarika.bsky.social on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social about our new petition to @andyburnham.bsky.social. (Clip below ⬇️)

131 3

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 25/07/2026

The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. @andyburnham.bsky.social the arts and culture MUST be part of it. We've launched an urgent petition to make sure the arts can play their part in revitalising the nation 🌱 Add your name ✏️ www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10...

03219 32

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 22/07/2026

We need the arts to be: 🌱 Available from childhood 🔓 Accessible to all 🗺️ Thriving everywhere

Pink chart of purple background showing that the enrolment in arts GCSEs has reached its lowest recorded level in 15 years.

Chart showing the breakdown of how individual arts subjects have made up the overall decline from the previous slide: Art & Design -4%, Design and Technology -74%, Media / Film / TV Studies -54%, performing / expressive arts -72%, dance -60%, drama -48%, music -35%.

087 8

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 01/07/2026

Do you like making things? Us too 😎 This is a great week to do it. Our friends at Create have put together 7 free creative activities – origami, zine-making, writing – designed for anyone, with minimal equipment. We're taking part. Are you? createarts.org.uk/createweek/

Background of amateur artwork featuring coloured paper and crayon, and bold text: Create Week 1–7 July. At bottom, #createweek, createweek.org

020 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 11/06/2026

🗣️ This week, our Director gave evidence in Parliament on the future of the BBC. 🫟 As the UK’s largest cultural organisation, the BBC’s unique role in UK arts and culture MUST be central to the Charter Renewal debate.

161 6

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 30/05/2026

We're looking for the people who document the arts in the UK 📸 Could this be you, or someone you know?

Image of two dancers in high-vis jackets in Stockton-on-Tees. Heading in cream text with pink background: Calling all arts photographers! Subtitle: We’re looking for the people who document the arts in the UK through photography

187 8

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 16/04/2026

What's next for arts in schools? In November, the government pledged to "revitalise arts education". Now we must keep up the pressure. Join us at this event with The Arts and Minds Campaign to figure out how to make this happen practically for schools ⬇️ 🎟️ www.tinyurl.com/ArtsMindsEvent

Yellow and red poster advertising an event. Title: What's next for the arts in schools? Subtitle: An Arts and Minds policy discussion. Body: Join leading lights from major cultural institutions, education, civil society and creative industries for policy discussions, panel events, keynote speeches, performances from young people. Date is Monday 27 April, time is 10am to 1pm followed by lunch, location is Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY. Logos for the English Folk Dance & Song Society, and Arts and Minds.

001 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 18/03/2026

Our BBC consultation tool was used 8,478 times ⚙️ Every one of those responses will now be read and analysed by the government as it shapes the BBC's future funding and public purposes. Thank you for showing up for the BBC's unique role in UK arts and culture 💜

Handwritten 8,478 number in pink marker on background of lighting equipment on Strictly Come Dancing.

151 5

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 09/03/2026

Ambition for the UK's largest cultural organisation shouldn't mean reshaping what it makes and who for. It should mean something bolder: universal access, creative independence, and cultural riches for everyone. ⌛️ Have your say before TOMORROW NIGHT www.campaignforthearts.org/reports/a-st...

White and pink text on background of two dancers on Strictly Come Dancing: The Government wants “ambitious commercial options” for the BBC. We want something bolder.

081 8

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 05/03/2026

⏳ The consultation closes on Tuesday. 🔧 We’ve built a tool to help you respond quickly and effectively. 🗣️ Make your voice heard: www.campaignforthearts.org/reports/a-st...

White text on purple background with two dancers on Strictly Come Dancing: The BBC has a unique role in UK arts and culture.

This review is a rare opportunity to renew & reinforce that role for the next decade.

🔗 Use CFTA’s consultation tool to help make your voice heard & your views count.

043 4

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 22/02/2026

🗣️ When you register, you can submit questions for the panel and tell us which issues matter most to you, helping shape the debate around your priorities. 🔗 Register here: www.campaignforthearts.org/events/scott...

Purple text on pink background. Text: The Campaign for the Arts is staunchly non-partisan. We’ll always advocate for the arts, and never for any particular party or candidate.

Captions and BSL interpretation available.

Organised in partnership with:

Logos for Culture Counts, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Scottish Contemporary Art Network, Festivals Edinburgh, Equal Media & Culture Centre and the Campaign for the Arts.

000 0

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 22/02/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland’s Cultural Future is up for debate, and we think the public should be part of it. Register now for a cross-party hustings: 🗓️ Thursday 26 February 🕖 7:00 PM–8:30 PM 🖥️ Livestreamed 💜 Free and open to all 🔗 Register here: www.campaignforthearts.org/events/scott...

7 headshots on purple background with Scottish Parliament building inlay. Headshots: Angus Robertson, Scottish National Party (white man with silvery-blonde short hair and facial hair); Euan Davidson, Scottish Liberal Democrats (white man with short dark hair and glasses by the sea); Malcolm Offord, Reform UK Scotland (white man with glasses and slicked white hair, in a blue suit); Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (white man with short dark hair with a backdrop of hills); Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour (white man with short dark hair with a city backdrop); Q Manivannan, Scottish Green Party (Tamil person with long dark hair and a purple collarless shirt); in centre, Halla Mohiedeen, Chair (Lebanese-Scottish woman with medium-length dark hair pictured in a television studio).

111 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 17/02/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Do you want to hear all of Scotland's main political parties discuss their plans for culture ahead of May's elections? Then join us for a FREE, open-access, livestreamed event next Thursday evening: www.campaignforthearts.org/events/scott...

White text on background image of Scottish parliament building, with inset image of Scottish parliament interior in thick pink border. Text: Scotland's Cultural Future, culture hustings for the next parliament. Thursday 26 February 2026, 7 - 8:30PM GMT.

142 4

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 24/01/2026

This week, two things happened for the arts in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 1️⃣ New evidence shows arts engagement delivers huge health and economic benefits 2️⃣ The Welsh budget signals growing recognition of that value 🧵👇

172 7

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 21/01/2026

This can't reverse the damage to artists, cultural organisations and communities caused by the cuts in 2024. But we are encouraged by the boost to several areas of arts and culture spending – it's a step in the right direction 🧭

Purple text on green background: 🏘️ The increase in arts and culture spending over the last few years has mainly been driven by boosts to Local Culture and Sport.

🏥 Some areas – including the Arts Council of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru / Museum Wales – have still not recovered since the cuts of 2024-25, once inflation is taken into account.

🧊 Arts Council of Wales in particular has received standstill funding this year. Their budget from the Welsh Government is now 7% smaller in real terms than it was three years ago – and 17% smaller than five years ago.

🛟 While we need to see investment across the board for the arts to truly thrive, it is overall encouraging to see the Welsh Government start to restore some key budget lines – and recognise the potential of the arts to make lives better and society stronger.

020 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 21/01/2026

Yesterday, the Welsh Government published their final 2026-27 Budget, and increased culture investment for the second year on the trot 🐎

Purple text on green background: Wales increases overall spending on the arts and culture for a second successive year. This is a move in the right direction after cuts in 2024 left the nation among the lowest in Europe for culture spend. Chart showing the overall culture budget decreasing from 2023-24 to 2024-25, then increasing each year until £186.5m in 2026-27.

163 6

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 20/01/2026

💊 "If the arts were a pill, we would be taking it every single day" 💊 For Professor Daisy Fancourt, the mounting evidence on how engaging with the arts affects our health should transform the way we think about healthcare.

0127 12

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 15/01/2026

🗣️ “It is through our songs and our stories that we best express ourselves, and best understand ourselves, and our place in the world." 🗣️ This week, Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced a real-terms boost to the overall culture budget in 2026-27 📈

122 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 14/01/2026

Yesterday, the Scottish Government published its draft budget for 2026-7, which once again increased its investment in culture 🔥 The picture remains mixed, but overall we are encouraged by this attempt to unlock the potential of the arts to improve all our lives 🖼️

Text: Scottish overall culture budget increased again for 2026-27. Once inflation is taken into account, the planned increase in the draft budget is £20 million (6%). Chart showing a £361m budget in 2025-26 rising to a £381m budget in 2026-27.

📐 It’s not all good news. Spending on Scotland’s five National Performing Companies* will be held flat, which means a real-terms cut.

✂️ In addition, Historic Environment Scotland and Architecture and Design Scotland will see their Government funding cut by 5% and 13% respectively.

🎨 Importantly, what will be going up next year is Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding, which currently supports 263 cultural organisations, as will funding for the National Collections, and more.

💜 Overall, we welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to continue growing public investment in the arts and culture – and the Finance Secretary’s recognition that “it is through our songs and our stories that we best express ourselves, and best understand ourselves, and our place in the world”.
Post

265 6

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 08/01/2026

"Let's make sure we have a properly funded BBC that reflects and celebrates who we are." Today in the House of Lords, former BBC Director-General Lord Tony Hall underlined the importance of the BBC as a cultural organisation.

272 7

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 22/12/2025

From everyone at the Campaign for the Arts, thank you for standing up for the arts in 2025 💜 We'll be back in 2026, ready to fight even harder for all of our right to a busy and beautiful cultural life. Until then 🫡

010 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 13/12/2025

It also highlights the importance of sustainable public funding. ActionSpace is supported by Arts Council England (ACE), in turn reliant on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). But this kind of support is at risk ⬇️

000 0

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 13/12/2025

Nnena’s win is groundbreaking in its own right. As ActionSpace, who have worked with Nnena for over 25 years, put it: “it’s proof that learning disabled artists are not only capable, they are brilliant" ✨

Image: Nnena Kalu accepting the Turner Prize 2025 in Bradford. Text: This week, Nnena Kalu made history as the first learning disabled artist to win the Turner Prize.

150 5

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 09/12/2025

🎉 We did it! 🎉 We've been absolutely blown away by the response to our Big Festive Fundraiser, which went well beyond its original target thanks to the generosity of 350 of you – our supporters.

120 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 07/12/2025

'From firefighting to future-building' 🚒 ▷🔮 Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason explains why 2026 is such a big year for us, and why we’re shifting gears as an organisation.

120 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 04/12/2025

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason on the situation, and on the solution 🎞️ 48 hours into our Big Festive Fundraiser, we're 99% of the way there. Thank you so much to everyone who has got us this far. Can you help us get over the final hurdle? 💯 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

021 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 03/12/2025

'I grew up thinking music was something everyone did’ ... and should be able to do ✨ A reflection from Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason – our newest trustee – on how the arts can transform lives 📽️

121 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 02/12/2025

It's #GivingTuesday, and CFTA's Big Festive Fundraiser has just begun ✨ This week, and this week only, your donation is doubled. Help us raise £25k and step it up for the arts in 2026. 👉 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

014 4

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 01/12/2025

CFTA's Big Festive Fundraiser launches tomorrow at noon. Join us in backing a future where the arts are valued and available to all.

010 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 28/11/2025

Big news! Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason – mother of the Kanneh-Mason family and a wonderful advocate for access to the arts – has joined the Campaign for the Arts board 👑 And there's more. CFTA's Big Festive Fundraiser launches on Tuesday. For 1 week, all donations will be DOUBLED 💰

050 5

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 06/11/2025

What did it recommend? 💾 Updating all programmes of study including for diversity, sustainability + progression 🗑️ Scrapping the EBacc entirely... 🎱 ... but keeping arts out of Progress 8 🧶 5/10

120 2

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 06/11/2025

Why do we care so much about it? 📚 As many as half of 11-15-year-olds only engage with the arts in school 📉 But since 2011, the number of hours of arts teaching has fallen by 23% + GCSE entries by 48% 🧶 3/10

110 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 06/11/2025

🎆 After years of decline, there’s hope for arts in schools again 🎆 Our take on the Curriculum & Assessment Review, and the government's response to it 🧶 1/10

Girl playing saxophone in schools. Text: Big news for Arts Education. Curriculum change in England – what's happening?

1148 14

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 01/10/2025

£132 million to grassroots culture & sport for young people 💰 £10 million to fund libraries in every primary school 📚 What's actually new from Labour Conference 2025? CFTA explains 🔍

050 5

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 29/09/2025

Today at the Labour Party Conference, the Culture Secretary unveiled plans for a new national competition celebrating culture beyond big cities 🏘️ @lisanandymp.bsky.social has advocated for towns throughout her political career, and this competition will sit alongside the UK City of Culture 🏙

Lisa Nandy at the Labour Party Conference with the quote: "Every town across Britain has its own story to tell. UK Town of Culture will celebrate the creativity, history and identity that has made us such a vibrant, diverse and incredible country."

160 6

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 15/09/2025

But arts education is disappearing from state schools at record-breaking speed. Our analysis last month found that since 2010, the share of GCSE entries in Drama has fallen by 48%, reaching its lowest level in 15 years 🪫

Graph showing that the share of GCSE entries in Drama has fallen by 48% since 2010, reaching its lowest recorded level in 15 years.

023 3

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 15/09/2025

Owen Cooper's record-breaking Emmy win is a result of his time at Drama MOB, a drama school in Manchester. He is living proof of what young people can achieve when they have access to arts education 🏆

Image of Owen Cooper holding his Emmy on stage, with the text "Last night, Owen Cooper made history as the youngest male Emmy winner ever, at just 15."

17126 71

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 10/09/2025

Today at the DCMS Select Committee, the Culture Secretary spoke about why independent cinemas are critical cultural infrastructure. She also gave a shoutout to Leigh Film Society 📣 🏷️ What independent cinema deserves some love?

041 4

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 21/08/2025

Compared with last year, arts subjects made up a smaller but similar share of total entries. But since 2010, that share has shrunk by 48%. Performing arts subjects and Design & Technology have been especially badly affected. Our full analysis 👇 www.campaignforthearts.org/news/exam-re...

010 1

Campaign for the Arts @campaignforthearts.org · 21/08/2025

🚨 NEW: the share of GCSE entries in arts subjects has reached a new low – but the rate of decline appears to be slowing. www.campaignforthearts.org/news/exam-re...

110 1