CHEAD: Networks

>Northumbria University: Gallery North

OVERVIEW

Gallery North is the School of Arts and Social Sciences' public exhibition space. Complimentary to the prestigious University Art Gallery, Gallery North's specific brief relates to the distinctive needs of the School of Arts and Social Sciences. Opening in January 2009, it is the venue for the School's range of practice-led undergraduate and postgraduate activities including art, media and performing arts. At the same time it provides opportunities for all our students to develop and embed professional practice and employability via cultural activities.

Whilst offering vital space for our students' final year degree shows, it also offers facilities for curated exhibitions of work by current and ex-staff and students including internationally known artists. It allows students studying related arts subjects - art history, cultural management and art conservation - and the wider humanities and social sciences to gain first hand experience of developing, staging and presenting art, media and performance events. This is underpinned by a number of related activities in which students can engage such as internships, exhibition organisation, and event management. At the core of this exciting new initiative is a commitment to cutting-edge research that explores theoretical, practical, historical and applied themes that develop from specific disciplines, but which also allows for interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary thinking. Equally our vision of Gallery North is that it is a vital public face of the School; thus all programmes and activities must be exemplary in terms of quality, governance and image.

The gallery is designed and built to a high specification. It is well-equipped and professionally managed, it provides opportunities for module tutors to work in a 'hands-on' way, and it offers students a model of how professionals 'practice' in their fields, whilst also engaging with our alumni by exhibiting their work.

NUMBER AND SIZE OF EXHIBITIONS

Gallery North has a smaller dedicated experimental space, Gallery North Projects for smaller and shorter exhibitions. There are 8 exhibitions per year; four are curated towards specific enquiry and four are student showcases.

SPECIFIC FOCUS AND AIMS

To showcase the work of practice-led students and staff within the School
To provide a venue for exhibition organisation and management for the School and to offer opportunities for all students and staff to engage with the gallery and exhibition practice through various means
To engage the wider community (local, national and international) in the work of the School and to raise our profile as a centre for cutting-edge work, lively debate and active public engagement
To provide focus for research in arts and applied research across the School
To provide opportunities for students to gain experience of professional practice and gain employability skills

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION

Gallery Director is Helen Baker-Alder PL in Fine Art
Interns three graduates from Visual Arts
Gallery Board meet once a month and confirm programme
Programmed by Helen Baker-Alder and Chris Dorsett with a variety of curators from staff and exgrads being encouraged to develop the programme

RESEARCH AND FURTHER PROJECTS

All exhibitions and events such as Symposia are archived and on the website: http://gn.northumbria.ac.uk/

CURRENT NETWORKS OR COMMERCIAL PARTNERS

Networked with Locatorart local network

ASPIRATIONS AND INTENTIONS FOR THE CHEAD GALLERY NETWORK

I hope to meet and discuss good practice, possibly loan exhibitions and join up with other curators for financial and intellectual support.

I would like CHEAD to champion the need for Gallery resources and publicise our achievements.

CONTACT

Helen Baker-Alder
Gallery Director

Tel 01912 273 105
Email Helen.baker-alder@northumbria.ac.uk
Web http://gn.northumbria.ac.uk

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