A gift from Sadie Coles HQ will deliver a four-week Slade Widening Participation Summer School for 40 students next summer.

Research shows that those most likely to experience an arts deficit come from disadvantaged backgrounds, while participation in the arts is shown to fuel social mobility.

The cost of study, uncertain career prospects, and a perception of higher education as exclusive and intimidating, are significant barriers for young people from low socio-economic backgrounds applying to institutions perceived as prestigious. For those who do apply, most candidates are rejected by art schools at the portfolio submission stage as they may not evidence well that they are ready to progress onto further study at university. And we know that under-represented students often receive less support to tailor and arrange their portfolio for a successful interview.

The Slade Widening Participation Summer School will help to diversify the declining talent pipeline by equipping learners with the necessary skills, confidence and networks to bridge the gap between secondary school and further education in fine art.

For the creative industries to flourish, we need to ensure the workforce is reflective of the diverse world in which we live and Sadie Coles HQ’s gift will enable the Slade to play its part in achieving this.

Sadie Coles said:

Sadie Coles HQ is committed to encouraging young people to see a life within the arts as an achievable reality. We are excited to be supporting the Slade’s UCL East Summer School in its dynamic new campus at Stratford, where they are working to accelerate openness and access for those from under-represented backgrounds.

Kieren Reed, Slade Director said:

We are very grateful to Sadie Coles HQ for their support of the Slade’s UCL East Summer School. As a world-leading fine art school, we are one part of a cultural ecosystem which comprises all aspects of artistic engagement, and we are proud to be partnering with Sadie Coles HQ who share our commitment to dismantling barriers to access for students who are under-represented in our field. Our UCL East Summer School will empower participants to envisage a future for themselves as the artists of tomorrow and contribute to a growing diverse talent pipeline for the entire industry.