Northumbria University unites with BALTIC to revolutionise art educationNorthumbria University and the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art have announced a new partnership that will transform higher education in contemporary visual art and introduce unique learning opportunities for students world-wide. This collaboration will create a globally recognised learning environment that unites academic research excellence and cutting edge contemporary art practice. It will establish a new Institute of Contemporary Art within Northumbria University’s School of Art and Social Sciences, providing full time, PhD opportunities to national and international students. This collaboration has lead to Northumbria University receiving the gallery naming rights for BALTIC’s Level 3 Gallery, which receives some of its most prestigious exhibitions. This year an exhibition by the acclaimed American artist Robert Breer will be the first to be held in the newly named Northumbria Gallery, and this will be followed by the prestigious Turner Prize 2011 exhibition. This is the first time an exhibition space within BALTIC has carried a partner name and signifies BALTIC’s commitment to this special collaboration. Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, Professor Andrew Wathey, said of the new partnership, "This is an important, innovative new partnership between two outstanding institutions which will significantly increase the creative and learning opportunities open to students, and to staff in both organisations. This affiliation will give students – and PhD students in particular – access to a unique fusion of art and artists of the highest calibre, high-quality teaching and research and BALTIC’s notable library, archive and curatorial teams." Director of BALTIC, Godfrey Worsdale, said, "The coming together of BALTIC and Northumbria University is centred around the appointment of a BALTIC professor which will drive forward our joint international ambition, enrich the offering of both institutes and position the region as a global hub for Contemporary Art learning and practice. The support of the University makes BALTIC’s research capabilities stronger, helping us to work more closely with students at all levels, broaden our audience and strengthen BALTIC’s learning and curatorial research." Regional Director of the Arts Council England, Alison Clark-Jenkins, said, "There is a real value in arts organisations and universities working together to develop talent, practice and sharing civic leadership. The potential for students and lecturers to work strategically with BALTIC will support education and young people which are at the heart of our mission, great art for everyone." Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative said, "The partnership between BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Northumbria University is a wonderful example of the strength of partnership working in NewcastleGateshead. Both organisations are internationally recognised in their fields and this new learning opportunity signals another reason why NewcastleGateshead is one of the country’s most important educational centres. The announcement of this initiative will continue to raise the national and international reputation of BALTIC, Northumbria University and NewcastleGateshead as a whole." Find out more about Northumbria University. Looking for funding for postgraduate studies in 2011? Check out the exclusive bursaries on offer from Postgrad Solutions. Content added on 16th June 2011. |
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