Picture This is a research project that aims to measure how visual literacy can impact students’ social and academic outcomes. It is the first large-scale study of its kind in the UK. Funded by Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr, in collaboration with the Government Art Collection, Art UK and the University of Oxford, it will measure how observing and discussing artworks in schools can support the development of those skills in students. The initiative will also examine whether using original artworks versus digital images might have additional impact on students’ visual literacy skills and wider learning outcomes.
Joy Labinjo’s Man Drinking Coffee from the Government Art Collection on display in a primary school in Peckham, with GAC workshop leader, Silje Jorgensen.
Visual literacy is a set of abilities that enables someone to critically observe, analyse, question and interpret images. These skills are seen as more and more important in our increasingly image-saturated world and fast-changing workplace. The project will evaluate how these skills enhance students’ potential for success in life.
‘Art provides the best apprenticeship in looking.’
— Alison Cole, The Superpower of Looking project originator
The study will take place over three years (2025–7) and will engage with several thousand students and hundreds of teachers in primary and secondary schools across the UK. The work will target areas of low engagement with the creative arts, including priority education investment areas (PEIAs), primarily in England, but including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The study will track student progression in visual literacy and oracy skills from primary to secondary education.
‘One of the hypotheses is that developing careful attention to particular pieces of art, helps develop other abilities and skills…to looking at maths problems, for example.’
— Robert Klassen, Professor of Education, University of Oxford
The GAC’s workshop featuring pupils from a primary school in Peckham learning how to print t-shirts inspired by Joy Labinjo’s painting.
During the three-year project, school professionals across the UK will be offered support to bring artworks into their schools. At the end of the study, a report will be produced which will propose best practice models to improve students’ visual literacy. The mission of the report is to provide academic research to support the establishment of visual literacy as the fourth pillar of education.
The research project has three key objectives:
The GAC will work with partners Art UK, the University of Oxford research team from the Oxford Department of Education and Oxford Gardens Libraries and Museums (GLAM) to deliver the project. In 2024, GAC staff rolled out our pilot schools programme, funded by the Robson Orrs, and brought original artworks into schools, alongside creative workshops. The GAC will continue to place artworks in educational environments throughout the project.
The University of Oxford’s Department of Education has a world-class reputation for research, for teacher education and for its Masters and doctoral programmes and its aim is to continue to be a world-leader in cross-disciplinary education research that is closely connected with policy and practice.
Free online resources supporting primary school teachers to develop students’ critical observation, analytical skills and oracy using digital reproductions of artworks. These resources include films, lesson plans, teacher training videos, and access to Art UK’s database of artworks. The Superpower of Looking programme is funded by the Freelands Foundation. The original concept for the Superpower of Looking was brought to Art UK by Alison Cole.
ArtSpark is a series of free learning resources that bring you closer to artworks and artists in the Government Art Collection. Age is no limit – there are activities and ideas for children and adults. Teachers and families will find plenty of ideas and inspiration to support classroom and online learning.
