For more than a decade central government has made cuts to real term funding of schools across the UK. Many don’t have a budget to cover basic art materials for their students. Children are having to submit exam coursework on A4 photocopy paper and create their paintings using powder paint alone! Research shows that consequently, there has been a steep reduction in the arts provision provided in state-funded secondary schools. Whilst the leaders of many schools are fully committed to being supportive of the arts in their budget allocations, their hands are tied by the funds which come in to them in the first place. Fewer students have the opportunity to engage in the arts leading to fewer enrolling in creative subjects at GCSE, A-level or university.
Since 2020 Jerram Foundation has awarded over £60,000 of funding, to 20 secondary schools and Alternative Learning Provisions across Bristol, to spend on materials, trips to exhibitions, art clubs, sensory sessions, high-quality equipment and visiting-artist workshops.
A Call to Action
Jerram Foundation invites individuals and organisations to contribute to the fund, to help empower the next generation of artists. The fund has already helped improve the grades of hundreds of GCSE and A-level students, with many schools reporting higher exam results especially among disadvantaged students, boosting engagement in creative subjects and overall motivation. It has also opened career pathways in art, media, design, and technology, vital to growing the UK economy.
For details on how to support the programme please email: studio@lukejerram.com
Positive Measurable Impact
As a consequence of the fund, more students have been choosing to study art and exam results have gone up! Read more about the impact here.
With Thanks
In 2024, 2025 and 2026 WEMA West of England Music and Arts contributed towards this fund, enabling us to do even more good for young people across the city.
