Deserters from the innovative arts? (4)
I believe the answer is:
rats
'deserters' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the innovative arts?' is the wordplay.
'the innovative' is an anagram indicator.
'arts' anagrammed gives 'RATS'.
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for rats that I've seen before include "Snoopy's imprecation - vermin" , "Curse" , "(Hunts) rodents - expression of irritation" , "Blast" , "Treacherous rodents" .)