It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it

 I am still reeling from the Cultural Learning Alliance’s Big Link Up event at The British Museum; or more specifically, from Ed Vaizey’s appearance at it. Speaking to a packed room of the UK’s best cultural educators from across the arts and an impressive panel of thought-leaders, it was not just what he said but also how he said it that has left me worried for the future of our sector.

 Vaizey started by asking a room of experts to define cultural learning (ahem, grandmother, eggs…) and proceeded to give such a narrow description, where the inclusion of such arts as dance and film were questioned and many subjects omitted entirely. Not surprising perhaps from a man who’s cultural CV seems to have stopped with his History BA and who had to support the thinking of his ‘old friend’ Gove. Vaizey went on to assert that this is no longer a time of government dictact and targets. But, as the panel rightly asserted, without clear leadership we find arbitrary, systemic yet unsystematic, asset-stripping decisions being made with no parity across regions.

Vaizey missed the point entirely that cultural learning is not a list of subjects alone – it is an approach to teaching and learning that equips the future generation with the intellectual and emotional skills to succeed.

As speakers John Knell and Professor Mick Waters stress, no mention of cultural learning in the DCMS business plan – and now the decimation of arts education in the Education White Paper – is a loud and clear sign that we are not even under attack but that we’re not on the battle field at all.

Vaizey came across as vague, underprepared and unconvincing – and jocular in the face of an audience currently making tough decisions on people’s livelihoods and well-being. He pronounced Twitter a ‘tyranny’ (this from the man with ‘communications’ in his title). He ducked out of audience question and answer with an ‘I’ve got to dash’ quip.

The day finished on a call to collaborate in creative protest, to articulate the role and importance of cultural learning. ACE and CLA was looked to lead on this but I would argue that we each need to take responsibility in this.

If ‘our’ Minister cannot be bothered to stick around to hear our concerns, we have to take our concerns to him, our MP’s and Councillors, the media, parents, anyone that we can, until we are not just listened to but truly heard. With a paltry 1000 responses (according to Vaizey) to the Henley Review, we cannot miss any further opportunities to inform policy and protest at the ideological destruction of our sector.