CHEAD Membership

CHEAD provides leadership and an inclusive, cohesive body for and on behalf of higher education Art & Design in the UK, advancing knowledge and understanding in the sector and promoting the sector’s interests to others.

Membership is open to institutions offering higher education in art, design, creative media, and related disciplines.

Benefits of CHEAD membership

Key member benefits

An engaged network – access to and support from a network of 70+ member institutions which provide art, design, creative media, and related disciplines in higher education.

Annual conference – at least one free place at CHEAD’s annual conference held in March. The right to vote at our annual AGM and help shape the direction of CHEAD strategy.

Policy briefings –monthly summaries of relevant policymaking, funding updates and key sector events all in one place, delivered to your inbox.

Professional development – access to our academic and technical leadership programmes. Our flagship leadership programmes include access to a mentor, a community of peers and aim to support the development of current and next generation creative academic and technical leaders in our sector.

Specialist networks –the opportunity to engage with CHEAD’s Research Alliance,  Technical Alliance, EDI Alliance, Sustainability Think Tank and Subject Association Alliance – our specialist communities of practice.

Member events – access to member-only events running throughout the year which aim to address key challenges facing the sector, to inform and to provide a platform for focused debate.

Promotion –advertise vacancies or events to our network on our website and in our member newsletters.

CHEAD membership means

Advocacy – we have a strong track record in representing the sector at key debates, events and in government sector consultations. We aim to engage, inform and influence key policy makers where it touches on our sector through research and consultation with our membership across the UK.

Visibility – opportunities to engage and showcase your institutional strengths via member-wide events and through projects with our partners.

Community – part of a network of institutions and partner organisations, co-ordinated by CHEAD, working collectively to champion and advocate for the Art & Design higher education sector.

How membership works

Each member institution nominates a main representative, usually the most senior academic responsible for art and design in the institution. That representative provides CHEAD with details of colleagues who would benefit from inclusion on our wider mailing lists. They are also the contact for membership renewal.

The representative receives the Annual General Meeting notice detailing election nominees and any resolutions to be put to the membership, plus financial statements, the Trustee Report and Annual Report. They are expected to attend the AGM and cast their vote in elections; if unable to attend, to appoint a proxy.

The member representative will be expected to cast their vote in the Honorary Officer and Trustee elections and to read the nomination statements circulated in advance to inform their vote.

How much does it cost?

Membership fees are based on student numbers and start at £773 per annum. Membership runs from 1 August to 31 July. *

*Members joining part way through a year, pay a prorated fee from the joining date.

If you would like to discuss becoming a member, please contact joanie@chead.ac.uk