‘Mickey Mouse’ Degrees Label Was Economic Madness Amid Film Boom, Says Nandy
Labelling arts courses as “Mickey Mouse” degrees has been criticized as “economic madness” during a UK film and TV boom, according to the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy.
Speaking ahead of a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Lisa Nandy emphasized the importance of targeted support for the arts and culture sector in creating jobs and achieving economic growth across the country.
She described the past decade under the previous Conservative government as “disastrous” for the sector, highlighting the erosion of culture from classrooms and communities.
During her visit to Warwickshire, Ms. Nandy is set to announce new funding packages, including a 5% budget increase for all national museums and art galleries. Additionally, a new £85 million Creative Foundations Fund will be introduced to support urgent capital works and ensure venues across the country remain open.
She remarked, “This is one of the fastest growing industries in the United Kingdom, providing a significant source of jobs and growth, whether it’s in film, music, TV, or literature. We export to the rest of the world and have companies eager to invest here.”
Ms. Nandy continued, “With the right targeted support, we can ensure job creation, foster economic growth, and unlock opportunities. Most importantly, we can allow every part of our country to enjoy the arts and empower them to tell their stories, becoming the storytellers for the next generation.”
“We believe every child in Britain deserves that opportunity. It’s in the economic and national interest,” she added.
The Cabinet minister highlighted that the past decade has been particularly challenging for the arts. “We’ve seen culture erased from classrooms and communities. The curriculum has narrowed, with government ministers labeling arts subjects as ‘Mickey Mouse’ subjects. As a result, the number of students taking arts GCSEs has dropped by nearly 50%,” she noted.
Ms. Nandy emphasized that this comes at a time when major players such as Warner Bros, Amazon, and Disney are eager to invest more in the United Kingdom, and the film industry is booming in places like Sunderland at the Crown Works Studios.
“It’s economic madness to ignore this potential, but more importantly, it’s denying a generation their birthright – the chance to live richer, larger lives and access the arts,” she concluded.
The previous Conservative government had promised to address what they termed “rip-off degree courses” that have high drop-out rates, with plans to limit the number of students universities can recruit for these courses.
This recent announcement signals a shift towards recognizing and investing in the arts as a vital component of the UK’s economic landscape, aiming to preserve and enhance the cultural richness for future generations.
