Diversity

Drama texts by white playwrights account for the vast majority of plays taught in secondary schools across England and Wales, a study has found.

Research conducted by Bloomsbury Publishing found that 90% of drama texts taught at GCSE and 96% at A-Level English Literature were by white playwrights. 

The study also found that there are currently just two drama set texts by Global Majority writers available at A-Level English Literature.

The lack of diversity in drama texts contrasts with 93% of teachers saying they would like to see a more ethnically diverse range of writers offered by exam boards. 

Meanwhile 65% of teachers said there was a demand from their students to study more ethnically diverse writers.

"Our research shows that there is real appetite for change and that publishers, theatre makers, examiners and teachers need to work together to deliver change to the curriculum," Margaret Bartley, Editorial Director for Literary Drama at Bloomsbury Publishing, said.

"If we empower teachers to switch texts with confidence, students can continue to benefit from the positive impact and influence of studying plays. 

"In the future, those plays will better reflect the student cohort and ensure students see themselves represented in the texts they study. 

"Bloomsbury is committed to playing our part in delivering this change through our proactive programme of new play text publishing, supported by the resources teachers and students need to study and enjoy them."

A new music exam discount scheme hopes to remove the financial barriers for students who struggle to pay exam fees.

The pilot scheme launched by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) will enable students to save up to 95% of the cost of practical and performance grades, as well as music theory exams.

Operated by Music Mark, the UK’s subject association for music education, the scheme is available to local authority music services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each music service provider will be allocated exam discounts based on published school roll numbers, with adjustments for deprivation.

Schools will have discretion over the level of discount requested for each student. However, ABRSM said they are "likely to follow existing fee remissions policies that many music services already have in place".

ABRSM’s Chief Executive, Chris Cobb, said: "At a time when costs and prices are increasing, we are ever more aware that many families are facing financial hardship.

"The pilot discount scheme is about working with music services to help them support those facing the biggest challenges, and about helping to make music learning and progression more accessible for more people."

The pilot is operating in the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. It will run until July 2024.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity has announced its next research project.

The cross-party group of MPs and Peers will examine diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline, with a focus on the 16+ age category.

Their work, delivered alongside partners including YouTube and King’s College London, will analyse formal tertiary creative education as well as programmes outside formal educational settings.

In doing so, the APPG aims to deepen understanding of the pipeline of new entrants from across the country and identify critical points for intervention to ensure the UK’s creative industries are inclusive and equitable. 

The project is expected to report in summer 2023 with recommendations for the creative industries, education providers and policymakers. 

Roundtables will commence virtually in the coming months with evidence also gathered through a global literature review, analysis of ONS data and online submission. 

The group is welcoming email submissions of evidence from those who can contribute "examples of what works" to support diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline.

“Our creative industries will never reflect, nor benefit from, the full diversity of talent across the UK unless we address stubborn and systemic barriers to inclusion, including the vital issue of pathways, gateways and pipelines,” Co-Chair of the APPG Baroness Deborah Bull said.

An arts group planning to showcase African talent living in Northern Ireland and aid community cohesion has launched.

The collective, which aims to be a platform for artists, dancers and musicians, is being established by charity Africa House Northern Ireland which represents the interests of African organisations and individuals across the country.

Cuthbert Tura Arutura of Africa House said African artists felt they were unable to make an impact individually and secure work.

“We have seen that African and Irish people have a lot of shared experiences and art is a way to express that,” he said.

“This type of initiative addresses the isolation some arriving in Northern Ireland, and is also another way that people can network.

“It is all about empowerment.”

African and Northern Ireland artists will gather on Wednesday 5 October to mark the forming of the group at the Markets Community Centre in Belfast.

Bristol’s first ever East & South East Asian (ESEA) arts and culture festival is taking place this weekend.

MOON FEST will be held at art centre the Arnolfini on September 10, to coincide with ESEA Heritage Month, and will feature music performances, short film screenings, arts and crafts.

It is said to be inspired by traditional ESEA events such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Chuseok, Tsukimi, Tết Trung Thu and Uposatha of Ashvini.

The festival has been created by Monica Wat, founder of Made on the Moon, a production collective that works to support underrepresented groups in music and art.

Wat says she hopes the festival will lead to more ESEA representation.

“That’s the core of it. If we could help ESEA creatives and communities in more ways, that would be amazing. 

“I think cultural appropriation is quite common in the UK so I really wanted to bring MOONFEST to the wider community of Bristol in order to come together and to shine - we are visible, talented and diverse.”