September 2008 sees the launch of 'CREATIVE GRADUATES, CREATIVE FUTURES,' a new detailed study of graduates and their career patterns up to six years after qualifying from UK courses in art, design, crafts and media. More than 25,000 UK and international graduates from 2002, 2003 and 2004 will be contacted by their universities to explore how their degree courses prepared them for their working lives, the diversity of work entered and career routes into creative industries and other sectors.
This ambitious project, the largest study of its kind, is the result of a funding partnership involving 26 UK higher education institutions and the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design (CHEAD). The project is based at and supported by the University of the Arts London, working with a research team from the Institute for Employment Studies (IES).
Elizabeth Rouse, Pro-Rector at University of the Arts London, and Chair of the project Steering Group says: 'There is growing recognition of the importance of creativity, the creative industries and the linkages beyond to the wider economy. We in art and design education need to understand more about graduates' contribution to the success of the UK's creative economy, how career patterns are changing and what skills and attributes graduates need to be successful.
In comparison with other subjects, creative arts graduates seem to take longer to establish their careers, with a higher proportion than in other subjects being self-employed. Art and design education encourages creativity, invention, resourcefulness and entrepreneurial approaches, and we need hard data on how these skills are utilised in the creative industries and evidence of their application in the wider economy.'
The new study is timely, as applications to higher education courses in the creative arts maintain popularity (9% increase from 2006 - 2007, compared with 5.6% in all subjects*); added to which there have been significant changes in the graduate labour market, in the creative industries, and in working practices in all sectors since 'Destinations and Reflections'** - the last detailed study, involving nearly 2000 art and design graduates ten years ago. This was one of the first studies to provide evidence of synergy between higher education and creative industries growth. Findings demonstrated graduates' generic capability for wider roles, their adaptability, and a multi-tracking approach to working, involving considerable ingenuity, tenacity and collaborative working.
Project Director, Linda Ball says: 'Destinations and Reflections' involved 14 institutions and provides the model for our new expanded inquiry involving institutions across England, Scotland and Wales. 'Creative Graduates, Creative Futures' represents a tremendous spirit of collaboration amongst staff in the 26 universities and colleges taking part. Everyone is committed, because the findings will tell us so much more about 'real' careers - not just about those who achieve success in their discipline as designers and artists, but where graduates are adding value in all walks of life.'
The methodology will involve a mix of survey activities, including postal and on-line census questionnaire timed to start in September 2008, followed by more qualitative surveys and telephone interviews, with findings being presented in autumn 2009. Emma Pollard who is leading the research team on behalf of the Institute for Employment Studies says: 'Graduates from arts and design HE have much more complex career paths than those from other disciplines; and the unique nature of their study, their transitions to the labour market and shaping of early careers can be lost in graduate surveys with a broad focus. It is important to ask the right questions to fully understand the range of work activities these graduates undertake, the motivations that shape their career decisions and the wide contribution they make to the economy and society'.
The findings will critically inform higher education policy and course provision, and provide a context for the innovative work being undertaken by individual HEIs at regional level in areas such as employer engagement, entrepreneurship and skills development.
Tracking down graduates qualifying up to six years ago is proving to be a challenge, and the research team and staff at each institution are using a variety of methods to reach graduates, through employer, professional, alumni and social networks.
The research team is keen to hear from those completing first degrees or foundation degrees in art, design, crafts or media practice, in 2002, 2003 and 2004 at ANY UK university or college, who would like to contribute their career stories and experiences to the study. Information on how join in, about the project, and research in progress may be found on the website: http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/projects/creative/ |
