Should GCSE Art be compulsory?
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What an absolutely stupid suggestion.
I really don't think art should be compulsory.
The thing is with art and art related jobs is that you don't actually really need a degree in art to be successful- you could be completely unqualified. However the reason why some people want straight A*s or really good GCSE grades is because they want to have jobs such as being a banker, doctor or lawyer etc and to be successful at that you generally speaking ideally need to get very good exam results and go to a very good university. There are exceptions, but this is the case for most.
So what would be the point of a compulsory art GCSE? Not only do some of us find art terrible (I for one always hated it with a passion), but it is also a lot more about skill than hard work. If someone is naturally talented at art they could achieve an easy A* whereas is someone was naturally good at a subject such as Biology they still wouldn't do very well unless they put the time in to revise and learn all the exam content. Art is also not the most useful of GCSEs because as I said, to be a successful artist you don't need an A* in art for GCSE and students who can work really hard to get straight A*s can't necessarily be capable of gettin an A* in art so all their hard work would still lead to a bad exam grade in one subject.
At the end of the day whilst art would be enjoyable for those who like it at GCSE, I don't think it really is particularly useful in day to day life and theres no point making people who hate it study it. Subjects like History or modern foreign languages arent compulsory in some schools and theyre far more useful so I believe that art should never be compulsory to students, although it is good to have as an option to those who want to study it.
The thing is with art and art related jobs is that you don't actually really need a degree in art to be successful- you could be completely unqualified. However the reason why some people want straight A*s or really good GCSE grades is because they want to have jobs such as being a banker, doctor or lawyer etc and to be successful at that you generally speaking ideally need to get very good exam results and go to a very good university. There are exceptions, but this is the case for most.
So what would be the point of a compulsory art GCSE? Not only do some of us find art terrible (I for one always hated it with a passion), but it is also a lot more about skill than hard work. If someone is naturally talented at art they could achieve an easy A* whereas is someone was naturally good at a subject such as Biology they still wouldn't do very well unless they put the time in to revise and learn all the exam content. Art is also not the most useful of GCSEs because as I said, to be a successful artist you don't need an A* in art for GCSE and students who can work really hard to get straight A*s can't necessarily be capable of gettin an A* in art so all their hard work would still lead to a bad exam grade in one subject.
At the end of the day whilst art would be enjoyable for those who like it at GCSE, I don't think it really is particularly useful in day to day life and theres no point making people who hate it study it. Subjects like History or modern foreign languages arent compulsory in some schools and theyre far more useful so I believe that art should never be compulsory to students, although it is good to have as an option to those who want to study it.
No it shouldnt be compulsery because people who arent very good will not get as good grades compared to someone who is talented in the subject
NO
NONONONONONO
don't get me wrong I'm a goddamn poet I love the idea of the arts getting more recognition
but ks3 art was one of the worst experiences of my life, I would come out of almost every lesson crying due to a) crap horrible teacher and b) lack of skill that was in no way compensated for by crap horrible teacher. I legitimately couldn't do any of it without guidance so I spent the entire time helplessly following her around for guidance, which of course she yelled at me for
the day I left I did the macarena on the way out
Some people hate art and some people have terrible art teachers. No subjects except english, maths and science should be compulsory.
(PS art teacher **** you)
NONONONONONO
don't get me wrong I'm a goddamn poet I love the idea of the arts getting more recognition
but ks3 art was one of the worst experiences of my life, I would come out of almost every lesson crying due to a) crap horrible teacher and b) lack of skill that was in no way compensated for by crap horrible teacher. I legitimately couldn't do any of it without guidance so I spent the entire time helplessly following her around for guidance, which of course she yelled at me for
the day I left I did the macarena on the way out
Some people hate art and some people have terrible art teachers. No subjects except english, maths and science should be compulsory.
(PS art teacher **** you)
(edited 8 years ago)
I don't think art should be forced as GCSE, I could only just bear it until 14! But perhaps introducing technical drawing back into the curriculum would be good just to keep basic sketching/drawing skills to a good standard.
Absolutely not. I always hated art class and could never draw or anything like that. If we were forced to do National 5 Art (Scottish equivalent to GCSE), then I feel that it could restrict people from taking the subjects they actually need to progress to the uni's they want to attend and the jobs they want to have, or they could receive a no award which would look pretty bad and would mean that they had wasted a year doing a qualification they couldn't really pass.. In most jobs, I feel that art isn't really recognised as a 'proper' qualification by many industries anyway, much like Higher RE, which is a shame, but a harsh reality.
I've just finished my GCSE Art & Textiles and honestly even though i picked it as an option i still disagree with the fact that it should be made compulsory. Art is only for certain people. Kids in the lower years of my school e.g year 9's are made to draw on paper... nothing else which results in them taking no real notice of the subject so to make them do it for an added 2 years is pointless in my opinion. I took it as an option because i thought it would be stress-free and a way for me to have a few hours of my school day where i wasn't stressing or worrying about equations or types of words but instead just relaxing and putting my creative ideas into my sketchbook. After the two years i realised i was very wrong, there was constant phone calls home asking me to come in after schools most days and Saturdays to finish off my coursework and final pieces (which got ruined
(() when i needed to be in other subjects too - more important subjects.
I just think it should stay as an option for the kids who have a creative mind and a great imagination...and patience.
(() when i needed to be in other subjects too - more important subjects. I just think it should stay as an option for the kids who have a creative mind and a great imagination...and patience.
Original post by Gilo98
maybe if 'arts' did not directly mean art; I would support a new compulsory 'arts' GCSE which makes students express their creativity not necessarily through conventional art.
This is a good point, in the art room I would be useless but in music I'd be much more comfortable. Maybe make a creative subject compulsory to do, but not compulsory to be examined in so that students who aren't strong in it don't have to let it ruin their grades.
I absolutely love art, but I'm not that good at it, which is why I haven't done in at school for over 2 years now.
I would be glad if it was compulsory, similar to PE and IT (compulsory, for me at least) but I don't think it needs a qualification in it, to let the people who were actually great artists to do a GCSE/equivalent. Personally, I find creative ways of expression such as English and Art really relaxing, and I think that it would help reduce stress to have a creative option as well.
Of course, this is only an ideal, I'm not sure if there are enough art teachers or people who would take it seriously for it to work...
I would be glad if it was compulsory, similar to PE and IT (compulsory, for me at least) but I don't think it needs a qualification in it, to let the people who were actually great artists to do a GCSE/equivalent. Personally, I find creative ways of expression such as English and Art really relaxing, and I think that it would help reduce stress to have a creative option as well.
Of course, this is only an ideal, I'm not sure if there are enough art teachers or people who would take it seriously for it to work...
Original post by Nirgilis
https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/breaking-news/mike-leigh-blasts-‘totally-illogical’-arts-provision
Art should be compulsory for students up to the age of 16 in order to restore its place as a “core” subject and prevent it from being regarded as an “indulgence”, according to award-winning film director Mike Leigh.
He warned that art, and drawing in particular, had been relegated to little more than a “marginal, minority, specialist” subject in schools.
Leigh, who directed hit films such as Secrets and Lies and Mr Turner, is the latest figure to argue for the arts to be given greater prominence in the curriculum. Last year, half the 172 schools surveyed by the National Society for Education in Art and Design said they had experienced cuts to arts provision as a result of greater focus being placed on English Baccalaureate subjects.
Earlier this year, a commission led by the University of Warwick warned that the arts were being “squeezed out” of schools and that pupils from low-income families were the worst affected. It recommended that an arts or media subject should be included in the EBac.
The Oscar-nominated director made the comments last week at an awards ceremony for schools, community groups and museums that had taken part in the Big Draw international festival of drawing. Speaking after the event Leigh told TES the idea that artists should be regarded as a “privileged group” was “ridiculous”.
“Art should be a core subject of all subjects, like English is, but even more so,” he said.
Would you be happy if Art was compulsory in your school?
Art should be compulsory for students up to the age of 16 in order to restore its place as a “core” subject and prevent it from being regarded as an “indulgence”, according to award-winning film director Mike Leigh.
He warned that art, and drawing in particular, had been relegated to little more than a “marginal, minority, specialist” subject in schools.
Leigh, who directed hit films such as Secrets and Lies and Mr Turner, is the latest figure to argue for the arts to be given greater prominence in the curriculum. Last year, half the 172 schools surveyed by the National Society for Education in Art and Design said they had experienced cuts to arts provision as a result of greater focus being placed on English Baccalaureate subjects.
Earlier this year, a commission led by the University of Warwick warned that the arts were being “squeezed out” of schools and that pupils from low-income families were the worst affected. It recommended that an arts or media subject should be included in the EBac.
The Oscar-nominated director made the comments last week at an awards ceremony for schools, community groups and museums that had taken part in the Big Draw international festival of drawing. Speaking after the event Leigh told TES the idea that artists should be regarded as a “privileged group” was “ridiculous”.
“Art should be a core subject of all subjects, like English is, but even more so,” he said.
Would you be happy if Art was compulsory in your school?
I personally have had experience with the subject art for a very long time....I LOVE IT AND LIVE IT !! But that's only because I have passion for it....If I didn't, I wouldn't be getting those A*'s would I?-no
I think art shouldn't be compulsory....its not fair on those who don't like it being forced to take it. However those who choose to take it are the ones determined and have passion for the subject. I find art is a way of expressing interesting stories and emotions in colour and art skills. I love art so I wouldn't mind....yet again, its harsh for those who wouldn't like it!
I'd have been a nightmare in a compulsory GCSE art class. I was a pain in the arse both through ineptitude and dislike of the subject through year 7-9. I was that kid who would point out to the teacher that art was beyond pointless beyond itself and brought no transferable skills (not my stance now). Prolonging both mine and the teachers pain through these lessons would have been silly at best and detrimental to enthusiastic students at worst.
Probably not compulsory
Anyway to be outstanding in Art is not determined by how well you can draw, it depends on your creativity and the way you express it...
Isn't that is why you have to write an essay of your artwork to express whatever you are conveying
Lastly art isnt just about drawing, much more to it
Interesting suggestion though
Anyway to be outstanding in Art is not determined by how well you can draw, it depends on your creativity and the way you express it...
Isn't that is why you have to write an essay of your artwork to express whatever you are conveying
Lastly art isnt just about drawing, much more to it
Interesting suggestion though
I was banned from taking art as a GCSE option in year 9, mainly because me and my teacher didn't get on (bit of an understatement) but I think for some students such as myself that excel at more academic subjects it isn't challenging enough, and leads to bordem. However, I think those that are gifted in it have the opportunity to continue it at a further level. In some respects the 'valuable' lessons of art are already covered in English which is compulsory such as perception, creativity, interpretation etc... Therefore I disagree with it being compulsory
Original post by Wattsy
I'd have been a nightmare in a compulsory GCSE art class. I was a pain in the arse both through ineptitude and dislike of the subject through year 7-9. I was that kid who would point out to the teacher that art was beyond pointless beyond itself and brought no transferable skills (not my stance now). Prolonging both mine and the teachers pain through these lessons would have been silly at best and detrimental to enthusiastic students at worst.
I was the same, had many a screaming match with my teacher, was continually removed from the classroom, sabotaged my work and other peoples, pointed out it was 'pointless' ( wasn't stimulating enough for me' and I stabbed her in the hand with a scalpel ( accidentally but not regrettably) so by the end of year 11 I'm not sure if she would still be with us if it was compulsory
Original post by espicton98
I was the same, had many a screaming match with my teacher, was continually removed from the classroom, sabotaged my work and other peoples, pointed out it was 'pointless' ( wasn't stimulating enough for me' and I stabbed her in the hand with a scalpel ( accidentally but not regrettably) so by the end of year 11 I'm not sure if she would still be with us if it was compulsory
I was just talented at winding up, a talent which I retain today, I didn't do shouting or stabbing people, that's just a bridge too far!
I got an F in GCSE Art. Nuff said 😂
Original post by Naami17
To be fair to BoomCha! some of my friends went to the Tate and there was a canvas painted black.
That is classed as good art.
I know that art takes a lot of effort but for many people that don't care about it, it is a waste of time and effort in their eyes.
That is classed as good art.
I know that art takes a lot of effort but for many people that don't care about it, it is a waste of time and effort in their eyes.
This is what I am getting at. I have also visited the Tate and most of the art there is utterly pretentious and boring, random crap littered on the walls and floors, no artistic merit at all.
(This argument reminds me of that Top Gear where they make that art exhibition with that BMW 'art car.')
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