The Council for Higher Education in Art & Design

CHEAD is the association of educational institutions with degree or postgraduate provision in art and design.

About CHEAD

CHEAD provides a voice for and on behalf of higher education art and design in the UK four nations advancing knowledge and understanding in the sector and promoting the sector’s interests to others. We carry out research, scan the policy horizon, brief our members, facilitate networking opportunities for senior staff from within and outside HE as well as helping to shape higher education art and design policy on our members’ behalf. We facilitate specialist internal networks supporting art and design research leaders, Subject Associations, and HE gallery leaders.

Members

Art & design graduates each year

Value of research income in millions

Leadership Programme Seminar 7: People and Performance

February 13 2020 @ 10:00 am – 16:30 pm £190

The CHEAD Leadership Programme of seminars has been running for many years and is intended to support the development of the current and next generation of academic leaders in our sector.

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Gallery Alliance

As part of its specialist professional networks, CHEAD supports a Gallery Alliance to provide a professional network for colleagues with Galleries and Collection in the CHEAD membership. The Alliance promotes knowledge and understanding throughout and beyond the gallery network and also promotes and shares best practice between members and associated gallery networks.

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It was my first visit to such an event - having only recently been made course leader. I found the experience very valuable, not only in terms of the discussions and presentations but also as a social / networking event. It's good to feel part of a community. The organisation and hospitality was incredibly well organised and welcomed

– University of Cumbria

I have to say I thought the day was excellent - as per usual - each talk sparked many ideas of how we could make significant improvements in Portsmouth. I have decided that these need to be attended by more than one person from my School / Faculty going forward though, and then try and clear the day following to discuss and digest through follow up planning meetings! Thanks again for another excellent day and for all your hard work at CHEAD.

– University of Portsmouth

Latest News & Resources

CHEAD Infographic

Sep 2, 2019

CHEAD has produced a resource for members in the form of an infographic to represent CHEAD, its members, key statistics for the ADM HE sector and the impact of the creative economy. We hope this resource will prove useful to support members to advocate our sector,...

REF 2021 Final guidance and criteria published

Jan 31, 2019

The UK’s four higher education (HE) funding bodies have published the key documents that provide guidance to UK universities when submitting their research to the next Research Excellence Framework, REF 2021. The ‘Guidance on submissions' (REF 2019/01) details how UK...

CHEAD Statement: Professor Elaine Thomas CBE

Jan 13, 2019

CHEAD Trustees are shocked and saddened to learn of the recent death of Professor Elaine Thomas CBE. Elaine Thomas studied painting at Manchester Polytechnic before taking up a post as Fine Art lecturer at the Ulster Polytechnic in 1973. She remained in Northern...

Members’ Gallery

Higher education art and design sits at the heart of the UK’s world leading creative industries. Visit our gallery to view more work produced within CHEAD member institutions.

In addition, we run a network for staff from CHEAD member galleries. Find out more information about the network.

View the full gallery

Member Profiles

Newcastle University

Our reputation is built on world-leading teaching, alongside world-leading research, disseminated in the form of publications, exhibitions, installations and interventions.

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Leeds Beckett University

The Leeds Beckett School of Art, Architecture and Design, with a history that spans over 170 years, is united by a common goal: to encourage individuality, to inspire creativity, and to create impact.