A recent study has revealed that less than 3% of artists mentioned in GCSE art exam papers are from Black or south Asian backgrounds. The research analyzed GCSE assessment materials from four major exam boards in England and found that only 8.4% of artists referenced across the 27 art exam papers were from minority ethnic backgrounds. This lack of representation has significant implications for students, as it limits their exposure to diverse perspectives and artistic influences.
The report highlights the need for more inclusive art education, emphasizing the importance of providing students with a broader and more diverse range of artists to study. It also calls for greater standardization and guidance in the curriculum to ensure the inclusion of artists from underrepresented backgrounds. The lack of standardized guidance in the curriculum means the inclusion of artists from underrepresented backgrounds remains a challenge, with lesson content largely set by teachers and subject leaders, which means students often only have access to a “narrow perspective on the artistic world”, the report says.
The report also points out that work by minority ethnic artists is more likely to be mentioned in association with a geographical region such as African ritual sculpture or Persian rugs compared with work by white artists, at 20.1% and 0.4% respectively. This “reinforces … a problematic perception that the most important artists are white artists”, the report said.
The lack of representation in art education has prompted calls for change, with the Runnymede Trust and Freelands Foundation urging exam boards to commit to a minimum target of 25% representation for minority ethnic artists in GCSE art exam papers by 2025. Pearson and Eduqas have already agreed to this target, and other exam boards are being encouraged to follow suit.
In response to the report, OCR has expressed its commitment to making assessments more inclusive and accessible, using the findings to focus on minority ethnic representation in the curriculum. The report also proposes establishing standards for inclusion and diversity in GCSE assessment materials and improving access to teacher resources that support a diverse curriculum.
2024-03-05 01:00:01
Source from www.theguardian.com