‘Art for a few’: Exclusion and Misrecognition in Art and Design Higher Education Admissions

Researchers: Professor Penny Jane Burke & Jackie McManus

 

'This report represents the key issues emerging from research funded by the National Arts Learning Network. The focus of the research was on art and design admissions practices in the context of widening participation policy, addressing national and institutional concerns to create inclusive, equitable and anti-discriminatory practices in art and design admissions. The research was conducted in five case study art and design higher education institutions and involved analysis of the policy texts on admissions and institutional admissions statements, prospectuses, websites and other marketing information; interviews with admissions tutors and seventy observations of actual selection interviews. The analysis drew on the theoretical insights of Bourdieu’s (1984) concepts of habitus, cultural capital and field to develop a clearer understanding of how subtle inequalities and exclusions might take place despite a commitment to fair and transparent admissions practices. The analysis closely examines the processes of selection that the admissions tutors engage in, drawing on the concepts of recognition and misrecognition, which are central to judgements about who has, and who does not have, ‘potential’ and 'ability’.’

Executive Summary, 'Art for a few’: Exclusion and Misrecognition in Art and Design Higher Education Admissions.

This report raises vital issues for the arts higher education sector, providing an opportunity for the sector to reflect on its admissions practices and to consider how to make them appropriate for a diverse society.
The report was launched on 19th October 2009 at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design at a lively seminar.

A copy of the report is available to download here.   Art for a few research report

Design: copyright Magpie Studio.

If you would like to receive a hard copy, please contact Kirsty Morris: k.r.morris@arts.ac.uk