Explore what we offer, our mission and members

What do we do?

Champion creative education

We make the case for creativity as a core part of education – not just training for specific jobs, but developing the critical engagement, imagination and future-facing skills that society needs. Creative education equips us to solve real-world problems, improve lives, and strengthen our economy. GuildHE Creative shines a light on these important contributions and promotes the value of creative higher education to government officials, politicians, and other stakeholders. 

Advocate for specialist institutions

We stand up for all kinds of creative arts specialist institutions. By working with government, policymakers and funding bodies, GuildHE Creative ensures their distinctive voices are heard, their contributions recognised, and their sustainability secured.

Shape policy and influence agendas

We don’t just respond to change – we help shape it. GuildHE Creative engages with policy at national and regional levels, influencing the agendas that affect creative higher education. We contribute to the development of frameworks and funding approaches that enable specialist institutions to thrive, ensuring creative education continues to inspire and deliver impact.

Foster community, collaboration and peer support

We bring together senior leaders from across creative specialist institutions to build a vibrant, supportive community. Through networking, knowledge exchange and peer support, we create space to share best practice, tackle sector-wide challenges, and develop collective solutions.

Who are we?

Our members:

  • Academy of Contemporary Music
  • Arts University Bournemouth
  • Arts University Plymouth
  • Bath Spa University
  • BIMM University
  • Central School of Ballet
  • Escape Studios
  • Falmouth University
  • Federation of Drama Schools
  • Hereford College of Arts
  • Institute for of Contemporary Music Performance
  • Istituto Marangoni
  • Leeds Arts University
  • Leeds Conservatoire
  • Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
  • London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
  • London College of Contemporary Arts
  • MetFilm School
  • National Centre for Circus Arts
  • Northern School of Contemporary Dance
  • Norwich University of the Arts
  • Rambert School
  • Ravensbourne University London
  • Rose Bruford College
  • Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
  • Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
  • Royal College of Art
  • SAE Creative Media Institute
  • The Northern School of Art
  • The Place
  • University for the Creative Arts
  • University of the Arts London
  • Winchester School of Art

Why does the work matter?

Given the strength of creative higher education institutions and their direct contribution to the economically-powerful creative industries, we launched GuildHE Creative to provide a unified platform from which this sub-sector within higher education can speak with a strong, collective voice. We provide: 

  • A unique voice in a crowded landscape: The arts, culture and heritage sectors face many challenges – funding, recognition, changing technologies, widening participation. A strong representative voice ensures that policy and investment reflect the full value and potential of creative education, innovation and industry engagement.
  • Strength in community: Institutions thrive when they come together. Collaboration opens up new doors – for students, staff and the communities they serve.
  • Fuel for future creativity: Education in arts and culture isn’t just about preserving tradition – it’s about provoking, inventing, experimenting, charting new directions for society.
  • Impact beyond the classroom: From regional regeneration to national skills development and global reputation, creativity and cultural institutions have an incredible impact on society. GuildHE Creative ensures that impact is understood, supported, and amplified.

Join us 

As a GuildHE Creative member, your institution becomes part of our work to preserve and enhance creative higher education across England and the UK. Inclusion in GuildHE Creative is free for existing GuildHE members and, because we want to lead in an inclusive way, we've decided to open membership to non-GuildHE members too, for a small fee.  

Joining GuildHE Creative unlocks:

  • Access to specialist networks and resource sharing
  • Invitations to sector-shaping events and policy discussions
  • Opportunities for collaborative research and creative projects
  • Support in public engagement and advocacy
  • Strategic collaboration with other creative advocacy organisations such as Creative UK, CHEAD and others to maximise collective impacts.

To join GuildHE Creative, get in touch with Amanda Suwart, Membership and Events Manager to find out how!