Helping young people build creative careers in Cumbria

The institute is joining the national Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024 drive that runs from 18-22 November, hosting special industry events at its Brampton Road campus in Carlisle – namely an Arts@60 alumni exhibition, Cumbria Arts and Culture Network’s Big Meet, and an open creative industries careers day. 

Arts@60 ‘Past and Present’ Exhibition 

Closing the institute’s celebrations which mark six decades of arts education delivered from the Brampton Road campus site, a new two-centred exhibition will showcase the artistic talents of students old and new. 

The Arts@60 ‘Past and Present’ exhibition is curated by graduate artists in residence Sophie Steadman and Molly Hughes, founders of artist collaborative group SoMo. 

Artwork created by over 80 former students, spanning six decades, of the Brampton Road campus will be on display in the University of Cumbria’s Vallum Gallery and other spaces on site, from Monday 18 November until Friday 6 December. The exhibition will be open to the public 10am-4pm weekdays.    

A sister showcase, of works by those studying at the institute today, will be at Intro PR’s base in Carlisle city centre from 20-30 November. 

Discover! Creative Careers Week 

Back on campus at Brampton Road, on Wednesday 20 November, fine art lecturer Dr Martin Fowler is leading an afternoon showcasing expertise from the university’s Arts Research Initiative, with a keynote presentation from Sarah Fisher, Executive Director the Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool and Co-Chair of the Contemporary Visual Arts Network England. 

The following day, 21 November, two different events are taking place. 

1. Cumbria Arts and Culture Network will be hosting its Big Meet that will explore ‘How can we help young people to build a creative career in Cumbria?’ A regular event, CACN’s Big Meet morning will hear from a range of speakers and will offer different perspectives on the challenges and solutions. 
2. The afternoon will see the University of Cumbria Institute of Education, Arts and Society host a creative careers ‘Industry Day’ for those aged 14 and over who are interested in having a creative career or are interested in working in the creative industries sector. 

The university Creative Careers Industry showcase will feature panel discussions and a tailored networking session. It will be a unique opportunity for young people to meet a range of creative industry professionals from the region who enjoy local and global creative careers and to learn from their experiences. 

Places to attend the university Creative Careers Industry Afternoon can be booked online at https://tinyurl.com/yh43us2j

Above: Dr Ruth Harrison-Palmer, director, Institute of Education, Arts and Society at University of Cumbria

Dr Ruth Harrison-Palmer, director of the university Institute of Education, Arts and Society, said: “We recognise the importance of the arts to our community, culture and society; and as a university of and for Cumbria with a specialist campus delivering arts education for six decades, we play a vital role in supporting those who want to develop their skills to be a part of that, now and in the future. 

“We have put together a packed programme for our Industry Event and we’re proud to have alumni, practitioners and professionals joining us to impart their knowledge to future generations and look forward to welcoming schools and colleges to our Brampton Road campus.” 

Public workshops 

Also, this semester, fine art lecturer Katy Little, who specialises in drawing, painting and soft sculpture, has launched a new series of public workshops. 

A live drawing workshop took place earlier this month with future events planned: 

• Lino Printing Christmas Cards workshop – Wednesday 13 November, 1-4pm - led by senior print technician Natalie Shaw. 

• Portrait Drawing workshop - Wednesday 11 December, 1-3pm - led by Dr Martin Fowler. 

Places can be booked at: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/public-arts-workshops-uoc-3770003 

Into the new year, future workshops scheduled are Plasma drawing (15 Jan),   Life Drawing (12 Feb), and Ceramics (12 March). 

These tutored sessions are open to artists of all abilities, from seasoned professionals to beginners.  

In Sights  

Also, new professional workshops are bringing industry practice into the classroom for university photography students. 

Set up by senior lecturer Rob Sara, programme leader for BA (Hons) Photography, Cumbrian videographer Adrian Naik led the first workshop recently. Other visiting professionals will include portrait photographer Drew Forsyth (12 Nov) and still life photographer Susan Castillo (26 Nov). 

Above: Videographer Adrian Naik delivers his In Sights session to photography students at University of Cumbria

ENDS