Artistic studies in the European Union

The European Parliament adopted by 575 votes to 38, with 31 abstentions, a resolution on artistic studies in the European Union.

MEPs consider that the European Union, true to its motto ‘Unity in Diversity’, should acknowledge its common history, and can do so through the history of European art because of its intrinsic universal nature. They note that schools should once again become the main place for democratising access to culture.

A compulsory element in syllabuses: according to the Parliament, artistic education should be a compulsory element in syllabuses at all school levels, in order to promote democratisation of access to culture. School curricula and vocational training should promote and develop creativity at all ages as part of the process of lifelong learning. The resolution also draws attention to the role of European culture and its diversity as a factor in integration, and the importance of artistic and cultural education at European level, including the safeguarding of traditional cultural values in different regions.

Promoting mobility: the resolution suggests improving the mobility of professionals in the artistic sector through increased attention to the issue of recognition of qualifications. The Commission is called upon to work together with the Member States in establishing a mobility framework for Europeans engaged in artistic and creative activity, with particular emphasis on mobility for young artists and students of art subjects.

Coordinating policies: whilst recognising that this is a matter for the Member States, the Parliament considers that policies on artistic education ought to be coordinated at European Union level, particularly in relation to: (i) describing the nature, content and duration of artistic studies; (ii) the link between artistic education, creativity and innovation; (iii) the application and development of the methods and strategies of artistic education in line with the requirements of the information society.

The Council, the Commission and the Member States are called upon to:

• recognise the importance of promoting artistic education and creativity in the context of a knowledge-based economy;
• define the role of artistic education as an essential pedagogical tool in enhancing the value of culture in a globalised, multicultural world;
• improve the provision of professional training in the artistic sector by recognising higher arts education at all three levels as outlined by the Bologna Declaration process (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate);
• introduce special arrangements to promote artistic education in the context of the multiannual culture programme.

Making use of new technologies: the resolution stresses the importance of using the resources provided by new information and communication technologies and the Internet as channels for modern teaching geared to contemporary practice. Stressing, in this respect, the essential contribution of enterprises such as Europeana, the European digital library, the Parliament recommends that a European portal for artistic and cultural education be developed jointly and that artistic education be included in the Member States' educational curricula.