Special Event in Liverpool - Contemporary Visual Arts in the Spotlight

The coming years will continue to be difficult for arts organisations, especially with a rapidly approaching spending review and continuing pressure on local authority funding. North West visual arts organisations need to equip themselves to make strong arguments and to link to national advocacy work by the Contemporary Visual Arts Network to respond to the challenges that are heading our way. 

Today, Visual Arts in Liverpool, North By NorthWest and CVAM (Contemporary Arts Manchester) are hosting a special event, at which attendees will be invited to workshop a series of arguments, network with colleagues and enjoy a last chance to see Liverpool Biennial, including a debate on future curatorial practice. 

The programme is as follows:

On Friday 23 November 2012: 

15.00 – 17.00 at the LJMU Copperas Hill Building

A provocative workshop to prepare us to better make the case for the importance of visual arts in society with Gavin Wade - Cultural Entrepreneur 

17.00 – 19.00 at the LJMU Copperas Hill Building

An opportunity for informal networking with colleagues from across the North West.  Drinks and light snacks will be served.

19.00 at the LJMU Art and Design Academy

Changing the World From Here with Sally Tallant, Director, Liverpool Biennial leading the debate ‘How can we develop models of biennials and curatorial practice that explore possibilities for a post-industrial ecology, rethinking the relationship between art, urbanism and value for the 21st Century? What is necessary?’ 

Sally Tallant will present a vision for the future of the UK Biennial in Liverpool. There will be a panel discussion with Joseph Grima, Curator of the Istanbul Design Biennial and editor of Domus and Professor Ute Meta Bauer. 

This is also your last chance to see the Biennial, fill in any gaps, things you may have missed or see your favourite parts again. If there is enough interest we will also seek a curated discussion or tour of the Biennial.

Turning Point West Midlands' projects update

Turning Point West Midlands has been busy rolling out its TPWM Projects with its partner lead organisations: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, New Art Gallery Walsall, The National Trust, New Library Birmingham, Worcester University, Eastside Projects, Grand Union, and Writing West Midlands.

New Art West Midlands

As part of this new BA/MA graduate exhibition in 2013, five artist bursaries have been awarded. The bursary artists are: Rashid Khan (University of Wolverhampton); Stuart Layton (University of Worcester); Sophie Bullock (Birmingham City University) and Corey Hayman (Coventry University).

New Art West Midlands will take place at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery from Friday 15 February to 19 May2013, The Barber Institute from Friday 8 March to 19 May 2013 and Grand Union from Friday 15 February to 9 March 2013.

The New Art Gallery Walsall (NAGW) and Artist Development

A range of professional opportunities are being offered to artists through the NAGW/TPWM partnership including a 6 week artist residency at NAGW's studio.

The selected artist is Pak-Keung Wan. He has an MA from the Royal College of Art and is based in Birmingham. Pak-Keung will use the residency to develop Lune – a series of painstaking pencil drawings that link to a publication by NASA, and an animation. 
 
The National Trust

In partnership with TPWM, the National Trust have set up a new Artist Residency opportunity at Dudmaston Hall. The recipient will be announced on the TPWM website soon.

Eastside Projects

Stuart Whipps and Joanne Masding have been awarded the first Heterotic residencies, funded by TPWM, at Spike Island and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios respectively. Both artists will be resident during February 2013. 

New Library Birmingham

The Artist in Residence Faye Clarridge is currently showing work at the Towner Art Gallery. 

New TPWM Flyer

TPWM with Fraser Muggeridge Studio has produced a new flyer. With a minimalist but vital message`Visual Artists' Support/Support Visual Artists', the purpose of the flyer is to lead people to the TPWM website where they can find a wealth of information covering all aspects of the visual arts in the West Midlands and beyond the region.

TPWM Visual Arts Forum

Wolverhampton Art Gallery hosted the forum lead by represenatives of artist collectives from across the region. Professor Nabeel Hamdi followed with an inspiring talk on`Small Change'.

This is just a snapshot of the activity taking place across the West Midlands. More information on all projects can be found on the Turning Point West Midlands website.  

Exploring the Network: Visual Arts South West Regional Meeting 2012

An opportunity to hear about the work of Visual Arts South West, input your thoughts in to its future and discuss how we can strengthen and develop the visual arts in the South West.

29 November 2012, 10.30am - 5pm

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Exeter

With a keynote presentation from John Holden on Network Culture, the event will be an opportunity to make new connections, share knowledge and experiences and develop a shared vision for the creation, presentation and promotion of contemporary art in the region.

For further information and to register, please go to our eventbrite booking page.