CHEAD is the representative body for the art and design higher education sector (HE A&D). Its mission is to contribute to the development of the A&D community, its standing and stature as well as its engagement with the outside world.
CHEAD provides leadership and an inclusive, cohesive body for and on behalf of HE A&D in the UK four nations, advancing knowledge and understanding in the sector and promoting the sector’s interests to others.
Our members include all types of higher education institutions (small-specialist, Russell Group, post-92 university, public as well as privately funded, etc). CHEAD shares with its members the objective of enhancing the student experience of HE in Art and Design, and respects the independent and diverse approaches adopted by members in this regard. Correspondingly, CHEAD representatives, in carrying out the business of the organisation, place the wider interests of the sector first.
CHEAD focuses on art and design subjects; these subjects relate closely to other subjects – for example: media, performing arts, architecture, and art and design history – CHEAD welcomes interaction with and between these subjects.