The Fieldscan Initiative

A two-year cross-sector survey of how arts education and creative industries are responding to generative AI, examining institutional perspectives, curricular approaches, and emerging practices across K–12 learning, higher education, and industry.

What the Fieldscan studies

The Fieldscan begins with a survey of programmatic responses to AI in higher education arts institutions — central to the training pathway for creative workers — and broadens from there. The Initiative profiles institutional perspectives and values, curricular approaches, facilities, campus leadership, and outcomes; surveys and interviews K–12 learning environments and industry partners working with generative AI; and develops a series of cases documenting how arts, design, and technology programs are engaging AI to create local and national impact.

Why this work matters

Understanding what skills are currently being prioritised in arts education — and what skills will likely be available within the creative workforce in the near term — is foundational to the Observatory’s broader research agenda. The Fieldscan grounds the Observatory’s later analysis of innovation, training pathways, and economic impact in evidence drawn from the institutions, classrooms, and studios where AI is already changing creative practice.

Outputs

The Fieldscan Initiative will publish a series of findings reports, a public-facing case study collection, and an inventory of institutional approaches. Outputs will appear here as they are released.