Why Don’t We Carry The Arts With Us?

Merle Tschirschnitz, BA International Relations and History, Emma Hogg, BA Social Anthropology, 03/02/2025

Art is a central part of growing up. It accompanies us through our education and young lives. Whether it be by getting dragged to plays about boring books we were forced to read or in compulsory art classes, we have all been shaped by the arts.

For some of us, art was the highlight of our education, while for others it may have all felt rather dull. Wherever you fall, we all feel art’s absence as we grow up and leave certain parts of our childhood behind. However, do not fear, because there is so much that you can do to pick the arts back up, and carry them with you.

We all remember our less than perfect primary school art projects, created alongside our friends and lovingly presented to our parents. At the time, these works were our pride and joy, however at some point this confidence gave way to the overwhelming idea of striving for perfection. The pressure to be perfect grows stronger with age and may be the reason why so many of us have left art in the past. 

At university, making time for hobbies and seemingly frivolous activities can be really difficult, especially with what feels like an endless supply of essay deadlines. Art supplies can be expensive, exhibitions and concerts cost money, and these things require time, organisation, energy and the all-important know-how. Regardless of these challenges, and with the benefit of experience, we have come to appreciate the ease with which we used to indulge in the arts. The fact is that art is irreplaceable, and there is no substitute for the creative outlet which it provides. 

The assumption that the arts are too expensive and inaccessible is common. However, many young people are unaware of the numerous money-saving tips and memberships which they are entitled to. The £10 Student Art Pass from the Art Fund is a great resource, offering free entry to exhibitions across numerous locations. The 16-25s Tate Collective membership offers free events and £5 exhibition tickets, as well as 10% off merchandise from the shop and discounted food and drink in their cafe.

For music events around the city, Student Pulse is a website and app which provides access to discounted concert tickets for classical music events, often under £10. For those looking for completely free experiences, the English National Opera at the London Coliseum is the place to go, offering free entry for under 21s. 

Theatre tickets can be especially expensive and hard to come by, however the National Theatre promises reasonable student prices for most of their productions, including 16-25s tickets for £10 and under. `

Unfortunately, websites which offer information on these deals are often difficult to navigate, which makes it harder to find information on the latest and cheapest events. So, while accessibility plays a large role in keeping students from taking advantage of all the arts have to offer, knowing what’s out there and where to look is an enormously helpful first step. 

All the memberships mentioned above can be found online.