In the wake of the controversial advert released by CyberFirst Megan Smith speaks to aspiring arts students such as Amy Janette on how it has affected them and what they believe needs to be changed.
CyberFirst is a programme which claims to give ‘opportunities to help young people aged 11–17 years explore their passion for tech by introducing them to the fast-paced world of cyber security.’
However, the recent adverts released by NCSC with the catchphrase ‘Rethink. Reskill. Reboot.’ received harsh criticism after focus was bought onto one of the adverts which suggested a young ballerina change to a job of cyber security.
Aspiring art students like Amy Janette, who wishes to follow a career in musical theatre, spoke up about this advert and how the government has been treating the arts during the pandemic.
“The part that made me upset was the rethink. Reskill. [Reboot] slogan…it suggests that it’s easy as one, two, three to retrain when in reality it is really expensive.”
Amy also explained that Cyber Security and ballet are at two different ends of the spectrum and therefore ‘de-values’ the arts.
She said: “I imagine Cyber to be quite theoretical…while there is a lot to learn in ballet…often with dancers learning from the age of four.”
High school students like Sam, who hopes to pursue illustration in college, also found this advert ‘degrading.’
“It sort of gives the impression that the arts are just a hobby, and cyber is a more realistic occupation…which isn’t the case, both are important and valid careers.”
Is the Government supporting the arts?
Another issue which the arts are facing is funding and support.
On the 5th July GOV.UK posted a press release which claimed to invest £1.57 billion to ‘Britain’s globally renowned arts, cultures and heritage industries’ in order to assist them during the pandemic.
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Said: “we’re giving [the arts] the vital cash they need to safeguard their survival, helping to protect jobs and ensuring that they can continue to provide the sights and sounds that Britain is famous for.”
Amy believes that this is not enough and that the government needs to invest more.
The arts are a large part of the UK’s economy with statistics from another press release by GOV.UK showing that the creative industries contributed more than £111 billion in 2018.
Amy claims that she has not seen this ‘rescue package.’
“I can’t find anywhere of any independent music venues, independent theatres or any local art galleries or museums that have been helped by the [rescue] package in question.”
The arts were not going out without a fight, near the start of the lockdown organisations like The Theatre Café in London created exclusive live-streams which people in isolation could buy tickets for.
The funds for the tickets were used to financially support the performers involved in the shows, the last one was in May.
Amy Said: “It seems we have just been left to struggle by the government”
“But so many people are helping keep the industry afloat, with people doing workshops online over zoom and people organising socially distanced events…I am confident that if we fight and make enough noise [the government] can’t ignore us and will have to help us”
Originally published on Medium