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

Annual Conference 2021

This conference creates a space to learn and reflect, to turn our thoughts to the renewal and reimagining of our role in a shifting, more sustainable, fairer and diverse future.

We’ll be hosting talks from keynote speakers, panel discussions, a live drawing session, virtual tours and member networking through our online event platform.

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Cultural Recovery Partnerships

This event aims to explore the way forward for cultural recovery partnerships between UK higher education institutions and arts and culture organisations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and also opportunities for innovation and the roadmap for recovery.

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Research Alliance

The CHEAD Research Alliance brings together researchers and researcher leaders within CHEAD members institutions and holds regular events for members of the Alliance throughout the year.

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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

Re:Tension: Using Film and Debate to tackle racism in HE: A Toolkit and training session for universities

Feb 24, 2021

Re:Tension is a short 20 minute film that follows Thapelo, a bright and capable university student, on a day where he is unwittingly forced to question the judgements of his tutors and peers, and delve deeper into his own actions, choices and beliefs. Re:Tension...

Letter calling for Minister to protect Creative Education in H.E.

Feb 16, 2021

In late January 2021 the Department for Education published four papers affecting further and higher education, including the regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), making a change in the top-up funding for high cost subject areas meaning Art and Design courses...

New economic indicators for Creative Industries

Feb 15, 2021

Newly released infographics demonstrate the economic impact of the creative industries sector. The Gross Value Added (GVA) of the UK creative industries was provisionally estimated at £115.9bn in 2019 current prices, before the disruption caused by the COVID-19 global...

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 School of Arts

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

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