Parents across London are being urged to nurture creativity at home as new YouGov data highlights both declining access to arts education and divided public opinion on its importance.

With arts GCSE entries in UK schools down 42% since 2010 and 93% of state school pupils missing out on sustained arts education, concerns are growing about the long-term impact on young people’s development.

In London specifically, attitudes towards arts education are notably mixed. While nearly half of adults (49%) say teaching art at secondary school is “quite important,” only 21% consider it “very important.”

Meanwhile, 22% believe it is “not very important,” and 6% say it is “not at all important,” suggesting a significant proportion of young people may lack strong societal support for creative learning.

This comes despite evidence that adolescence is a period of heightened emotional intensity, where creative outlets can play a crucial role in self-expression and wellbeing.

“Creative practice is not just about producing art, it’s about training the brain,” says Jamie Johnson, Head of Art at Wycliffe College. “Drawing, painting, sculpting and design all develop core life skills.

“Creative activities can reduce anxiety, improve concentration, strengthen motor and co-ordination skills, encourage emotional expression and support memory retention alongside cognitive flexibility. It gives young people permission to think differently. In an era of rapid technological change and growing mental health pressures, that may be more important than ever.

“Rather than asking whether schools can afford to teach art, the question should be whether they can afford not to.”

6 Expert-backed art tips for parents and young people:

Jamie offered six practical ways parents and young people can build creative habits, boost focus, and support emotional wellbeing through art.

1. Create a weekly “screen-free creative hour”

“Set aside one hour a week dedicated to analogue creativity whether that be drawing, painting, collage, knitting, embroidery or journalling.

“This taps into the ‘slow creativity’ movement,” explains Johnson. “Activities that require repetition and patience, such as sketching or stitching, are particularly powerful for reducing anxiety and improving concentration.”

2. Focus on process, not perfection

“One reason teenagers disengage from art is fear of not being ‘good enough,’ Johnson shared.

“Creativity should not be performance-led, it is important to encourage experimentation and mistakes. The cognitive benefits come from the act of making, not from producing a masterpiece.”

3. Connect art to everyday life

“Creativity doesn’t have to mean fine art. Encourage:

Designing a bedroom layout
Customising clothing
Creating digital illustrations
Photographing nature walks
Cooking or baking creatively
“Applied creativity strengthens problem-solving skills across disciplines.”

4. Visit galleries and creative spaces

“Exposure matters. Visiting local exhibitions, open studios or creative workshops can help young people see art as relevant and achievable.”

“Experiencing art in person also builds cultural literacy and critical thinking, skills that support success across the curriculum.”

5. Use art as an emotional outlet

“Adolescence can be emotionally intense. Sketchbooks and craft projects can act as a safe space for expression.

“Creative activity allows thoughts and feelings to be processed non-verbally,” Johnson shared. “For young people who struggle to articulate anxiety or stress, art can be therapeutic.”

6. Advocate for arts education

“With warnings of an ‘arts apocalypse’, it is vital parents engage in school discussions about curriculum balance.

“Creativity is not an optional extra, it is central to developing adaptable, resilient young people.”

The YouGov survey highlights a growing disconnect: while 90% of young people want to study a creative subject, participation continues to fall.

In London, where opinion remains divided, experts warn that undervaluing arts education could have lasting consequences.

“Even small, consistent creative habits at home can have a significant impact on focus, confidence, and emotional wellbeing,” Johnson adds. “Art doesn’t require expensive materials or specialist training; it just needs time and permission.”