Florence Welch’s mother says cuts to arts and humanities ‘absolutely tragic’

Prof Evelyn Welch, the incoming chair of the Russell Group, and her daughter Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine. Composite: Nick Smith/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen Prof Evelyn Welch, the incoming chair of the Russell Group, and her daughter Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine. Composite: Nick Smith/Shutterstock Florence Welch’s mother says cuts to arts and humanities ‘absolutely tragic’ Exclusive: Prof Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor of Bristol University, believes her daughter’s success shows value of arts education One of Britain’s leading university vice-chancellors has described sweeping cuts to arts and humanities across the sector as “absolutely tragic”, citing her famous daughter as an example of the value of a creative arts education. Prof Evelyn Welch, the vice-chancellor of Bristol University and incoming chair of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, is the mother of Florence Welch, the singer-songwriter from Florence + the Machine. Florence enrolled on an art foundation course at Camberwell College of Arts before leaving to pursue music. While her post-art school trajectory is exceptional, her mother believes “the rigour, the get-out-of-bed-by-seven o’clock-every-morning and the feedback on how to control your creativity” was integral to her success. “There’s no question, a degree in fine arts or in drama or creative practice, initially, 18 months after you graduate, does not look like it’s giving you a great return on your investment,” she said. “However, I take a really personal view on this. My oldest daughter is the only child in my family who really is making a very significant amount of money.” The others in her blended family of six children have forged successful careers in professions including medicine and teaching. The Guardian revealed on Tuesday that thousands of university job cuts across the arts, humanities and social sciences were creating widespread academic cold spots, closing down opportunities for often disadvantaged young people. View image in fullscreen Florence Welch, who attended Camberwell College of Arts, performs at the Cala Mijas festival in Spain in 2023. Photograph: Bianca de Vilar/WireImage Universities facing financial difficulties owing to the diminishing value of domestic tuition fees and a drop in international student numbers because of visa restrictions have been forced to make cuts to staff and courses, which have fallen disproportionately on arts and humanities departments. A recent government announcement of cuts to the strategic priorities grant, which is intended to support high-cost subjects where the cost of delivery exceeds income from tuition fees, will further hit creative and performing arts. Humanities among degrees being ‘extinguished’ by hard-up universities Read more “Government is making really difficult decisions,” said Welch, who takes over at the Russell Group in August. “But in the long run, undermining the creativity in our country is foolish