Contemporary Fine Art and Public Engagement

This research cluster brings together current contemporary arts practice with critical theory and contextual studies researchers. This established cluster of practitioners and theorists participate in a broad range of process and practice, curatorship, critical writing and arts administration, with a belief that contemporary arts practice and its allied theory are key cultural drivers of social and economic importance.

Research focuses on 3 core themes, which are explored in a lateral and inter-disciplinary manner:

• Science and industry partnerships
• Environment and site-responsiveness
• Social inclusion and multi-cultural collaborations
  

Members of this cluster are actively involved in exhibitions, public art commissions, curation and consultancy, critical writing for publications, conferences, performances, residencies and workshops, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Science and industry partnerships

Exploring manufacturing and engineering technologies, and scientific ideas to extend and expand the field of fine art practices. Medical and Psychiatric Arts collaborations and Residencies exploring how contemporary art practice can reinterpret industrial heritage. Researchers are transcribing methods of practice for dissemination, and are collaborating with other discipline areas to provide case studies for cross-institutional research programmes.

Environment and site responsiveness

Members address contemporary debates in the realm of site-specific public art, placing artists at the core of planning and critical thinking in urban design thinking and the built environment, and facilitating regional growth and cultural development. The cluster has a unique and diverse approach to the exploration and navigation of places and spaces, through critical writing, visual arts and sound art. Members of the cluster are involved with social and physical regeneration processes; extending education, activating derelict spaces, re-interpreting social space, and causing audience interaction in public sites.

Social inclusion and multi-cultural collaborations

The cluster promotes critical discourse on diversity of practice and contemporary hierarchies of fine art, folk and craft practices, with international collaborations with musicians, performers and filmmakers. Many projects involve widening participation, social inclusion and projects, which unite disenchanted communities through creative community engagement.

Research Cluster Leader: Jill Randall
T: +44 (0)161 295  2618
j.randall@salford.ac.uk