To launch DACS and Artquest’s new book, The New Economy of Art, DACS organised a series of four public debates between December 2014 to March 2015 to open up discussion around the issues it raised.

This first debate centred around the provocation: "Going to art school is a terrible way to learn about being an artist".
Arguing against: Professor Juan Cruz, an artist and Dean of the School of Fine Art at the Royal College of Art. He is a member of the Tate Liverpool Council and sits on the Boards of the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Trust, Liverpool Biennial and Peer.
Arguing for: Andrew Brighton, formerly Senior Curator in Public Events at Tate Modern. He has taught at the Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths and the London Consortium. Published in journals internationally, his books include Francis Bacon, Work by Ana Maria Pacheco, Picasso for Beginners, David Hockney’s Prints 1954-77 and with Lynda Morris, Towards Another Picture.

The debate took place in front of a live audience of 40 people who were asked to vote for the winner of the debate at the end. Juan Cruz won and defeated the motion.
The debate was recorded and is available online from the DACS website.