Art Bytes is a national art and EdTech programme for primary, secondary, and SEND schools that combines an inter-school art competition with a bespoke virtual gallery for shortlisted artworks and an augmented reality experience for every student who enters to see their artwork framed and displayed.
The conversation around education often seems to pit the arts against science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). Recent reviews and government responses rightly place greater emphasis on the arts, which is welcome news to art educators. Yet, some commentators worry this focus might come at the expense of science subjects.
The UK government's response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review is broadly positive for art education, indicating a commitment to revitalise and strengthen creative subjects within the national curriculum. There is a clear commitment that every child should have access to creative arts subjects and experiences, framing them as an entitlement. The reforms are part of a wider vision for a broad and balanced curriculum up to age 16, with an emphasis on creating a more inclusive and relevant education system for the modern world.
This debate, however, misses a crucial point: creativity and technology are not rivals; they are allies.
Steve Jobs famously said, "Technology alone is not enough."
Jobs cited the importance of his own art lessons in the groundbreaking design of the Mac computer.
He insisted that artists and programmers at the animation studio Pixar share the same office space so they could inform and support each other's work. For Jobs, the creativity of the arts and the rigour of science relied on each other to flourish.
His colleague, former Apple Creative Officer Jony Ive, echoes this sentiment, believing that "making art and designing objects encourages curiosity and helps people connect to the physical world."
Parents are clearly aware of the value of creative thinking, with over half (54%) believing that schools should nurture creativity and independent thinking.
Yet, the data suggests a worrying trend: students in English schools are adopting STEM subjects at the expense of the arts. The 2022/23 exam year saw 42% fewer Arts GCSE entries than in 2009, with Design & Technology entries down a staggering 71% over the same period.
This decline is in stark contrast to the economic reality and future job market:
Economic Might: The UK’s creative industries contributed an astonishing £124 billion to the economy in 2023—some 5% of total UK economic output. Using narrow sector definitions, this sector is two and a half times larger than the combined automotive, aerospace, space, and agriculture sectors.
Job Security: While the threat of AI looms over many sectors, recent studies suggest that the creative skills employed by the 2.4 million people in the UK's creative industries might be more complex to replace fully. The adoption of AI is expected to drive the need for workers who bring innovative thinking to their roles.
To argue for art education is not to dismiss STEM, but to call for the subjects to be placed alongside each other. A focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths) is key to building both technical skills and the essential creativity needed for tomorrow's world
More action is needed to encourage students, especially at Key Stages 2 and 3, to embrace the arts.
The answer, as demonstrated by the successful Art Bytes programme, is simple: provide a national platform that builds student confidence and demonstrates their proficiency.
For five years, the Art Bytes programme has invited primary and secondary students to submit entries to a national art competition. It combines traditional art with a bridge to technology:
Virtual and Physical Exhibitions: Students’ work is shortlisted by professional artists and voted on by the public. The winning entry from each school is displayed in a bespoke virtual gallery. https://artbytes.co.uk/virtual-gallery-2025/
Augmented Reality (AR): Using a smartphone or tablet, families can project the artwork into their homes or classrooms, connecting art and technology in an exciting, contemporary way.
Gallery Celebrations: Guest judges select overall regional winners, who are celebrated at prestigious galleries like The Saatchi Gallery (London) and Kettle’s Yard (Cambridge).
"I can’t believe my work is in a gallery." A student with Special Educational Needs
The impact of having their work celebrated on a national stage is profound, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND):
One teacher noted the massive confidence boost experienced by a SEND student who repeated this phrase all the way home.
The first-ever winner of the forerunner programme credits the experience with building the confidence that led him to run a film company now.
The Futures Trust, a multi-academy trust, invested centrally in Art Bytes for all its schools, ensuring equal opportunity and accessibility to the arts. As one director notes, "This programme has shown how powerful creativity can be. It develops confidence, curiosity and critical thinking, all skills our children will need to thrive in the future of work."
By integrating programs like Art Bytes, schools show that creativity and academic excellence are not opposites but allies. They expand horizons, strengthen communities, and embody the mission of Building Brighter Futures… one artwork at a time.
If you are interested in taking part in the 2026 Artbytes inter-school art competition, take a look here
Find out more about ArtBytes here