UAL’s Sarah Atkinson to Join Government’s T-Levels Panel

Sarah Atkinson, UAL’s Head of Academic Standards has secured a place on the Department for Education’s (DfE) new T-Level employer panel – for Craft and Design.

T-Levels is the name that has been given to the government’s planned overhaul of technical education – and are 2-year technical study programmes for 16 to 19 year-olds. T-Levels will include a qualification and an industry placement.

The employer-led panels will develop new standards to help shape the technical routes – with these standards underpinning both the T-Levels and apprenticeships.

The employer panels are made up of experienced professionals working in industry or a profession and are intended to provide government and, in the future, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) with independent, professional advice.

In total the DfE has unveiled nine new panels which will work towards the T-Levels that are due to start in 2022, to join the 16 existing T-Level panels for the 2020 cohort.

Sarah said “UAL is delighted to be involved with the development of T-Levels, which will provide a new and valuable route into employment in a number of specific occupations in the creative industries.  They will form part of a broader offer, alongside successful A-Level and Applied General qualifications, which will meet the needs of young people wishing to progress into employment or into higher education.”

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Collaboration to advance debate on

race, culture and gender

Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) and University of the Arts London (UAL) are delighted to announce that Iniva is moving to 16 John Islip Street, on the campus of UAL’s Chelsea College of Arts, in September 2018.

The Stuart Hall Library is the critical and creative hub for Iniva’s pioneering programme that challenges conventional notions of difference and diversity. Its move to the Chelsea College of Arts campus will establish further space to develop Iniva’s collection of over 10,000 books and journals. A new dedicated archive area will be created alongside flexible spaces for events. Designed to generate discussion and encourage collaboration, these activities will be open to everyone.

As a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), Iniva is an independent organisation, governed by a board of trustees, that receives its core funding from Arts Council England. The move reflects a long history of collaboration with Chelsea College of Arts, highlighting connections to recent research projects such as Black Artists and Modernism. There is also a shared history with world renowned alumni, curators and artists such as Yinka Shonibare MBE RA, Isaac Julien CBE RA, Professor Sonia Boyce MBE RA and the curator David A. Bailey MBE.

Both Iniva and UAL’s Chelsea College of Arts aim to develop a long-term partnership that addresses post-colonial narratives, advancing research on race, culture and gender. This shared ambition means that the two institutions will continue to facilitate critical debates by academics, students, local residents and the wider creative community.

Melanie Keen, Director of Iniva, said: “Iniva’s new location means we can realise our ambition to create the kind of space the Stuart Hall Library needs now, with a dedicated archive and reading room that enhances the collection. We will remain an independent organisation and our location at the Chelsea College of Arts means we will be in an ideal position to build stronger relationships with students and staff to support collaboration around research and teaching. Questions of race, class and gender are as urgent and important now as when Iniva was founded in 1994. On theeve of our 25th anniversary, we are in a strong position to continue to advance those debates.”

David Crow, Pro Vice-Chancellor, UAL and Head of Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon colleges, said: “This is an exciting development and we are proud that Iniva is moving on to our campus. Our students, staff and the wider community will all benefit. We are preparing our graduates to apply art practice to the key social, cultural and political effects of globalisation. Our proximity to Iniva, and to the Stuart Hall Library, will boost contemporary fine art practice at UAL and crucially create inspirational new routes into fine art for students from diverse backgrounds.”

Award winning artist and UAL alumni Yinka Shonibare MBE said: “Iniva’s move to 16 John Islip Street, on the site of Chelsea College of Arts is a very exciting new beginning. The relocation will be able to maximise the potential of the Stuart Hall Library whilst making a significant contribution to diverse perspectives within the college, in the community, across London, nationally and beyond.”

About Iniva

For nearly 25 years, Iniva has been working to radically transform the visual arts landscape. Challenging notions of difference and diversity, Iniva promotes debate on the politics of race, class and gender in the visual arts and in our society. It is a debate that is just as important now as it was when Iniva was founded by cultural theorist Stuart Hall in 1994, Iniva’s first Chair.

Professor Hall gave his name to the Stuart Hall Library, Iniva’s critical and creative hub. A unique collection of over 10,000 books and thousands of journals, periodicals and publications, it views visual art through the lens of race, class and gender. The Library is a research facility, visited every year by over 2,500 academic and self-led learners. It is also home to public events and a discussion programme, artist commissions and a research network.

Iniva works predominately with British born and British based visual artists of African and Asian descent, supporting them at different stages of their careers. Many of those Iniva has worked with have gone on to change the course of art history. Turner Prize winners Lubaina Himid OBE and Steve McQueen CBE, Yinka Shonibare MBE RA, Isaac Julien CBE, Idris Khan OBE, Sonia Boyce MBE RA and David Medalla are among Iniva’s distinguished alumni.

Iniva also works with schools and community groups to engage children and young people in a creative learning programme that explores identity and values in creative workshops led by artists and psychotherapists.

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UAL has teamed up with VICE to speak up for the rights of transgender and non-binary people in a powerful new initiative.

On 9 October 2018, UAL will co-host Recognise Me: an open drop-in event that encourages all UAL students, staff and supporters to respond to the open government consultation calling for public views on how to reform the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

In an LGBQT government survey, the transgender community reported having to endure a costly, intrusive and lengthy process to ‘prove’ their gender identity in order to get legal recognition. In response, the government seeks public opinion on whether that process should be made easier and more streamlined.

Recognise Me will be held at UAL’s Central Saint Martins Platform Bar – with representatives from VICE, Stonewall and UAL encouraging responses. Stonewall has created a streamlined form that takes participants 10 minutes to complete. This version of the public consultation form makes it easier to respond to the key questions that reflect the top priorities for Gender Recognition Act reform identified by trans communities in A Vision for Change.

Recognise Me will showcase film screenings of interviews with trans and non-binary persons, live photo booth, music, drink tokens and discussion.

The event will also feature UAL’s London College of Fashion alumna, Charlie Craggs, who will be running Nail Transphobia – delivering glamorous free manicures and debunking the myths and misconceptions of being trans.

Charlie is a widely celebrated, trans activist, campaigner and author of To My Trans Sisters – tirelessly tackling transphobia. Charlie has been profiled in Vogue, The Guardian, Dazed, Huffington Post, amongst many others.

Katayoun Jalili, They/Them, Welfare Officer at Arts SU

Charlie will be joined by Arts SU welfare officer, genderqueer multidisciplinary artist, performer and writer, Katayoun Jalilipour will also be on hand to share their experiences. Katayoun was named as one of the top 5 queer artists in 2017 by i-D.

Katayoun said:

“The gender recognition act will have a huge impact on the lives of transgender and non-binary people. It’s an exciting time for you to support your loved ones who may be in desperate need for change to the Gender Recognition Act, so come to the event on the 9th October, if you want to get involved in the change, or simply want to learn more about it.”

UAL strives to actively support its transgender and non-binary community by providing options for students to self-nominate their preferred gender. Students are given the option to select “O” rather than male or female on their student records. In addition, students who wish to change their gender classification on their record can do so at any point during their time at UAL.

Read about UAL trans students and their visual journeys in London College of Communication’s Artefact magazine.

Join in, speak up for trans and non-binary rights and help change the law.

Event details

Recognise Me
Tuesday 9 October; 5 – 10 pm
Platform Bar, Central Saint Martins UAL
1 Granary Square, Kings Cross

Sign up to Stonewall’s streamlined form

For information on help and support available at UAL, visit the Student Services webpage on the UAL website.

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Es Devin, Stella McCartney, JW Anderson, Sir Anish Kapoor and Grace Campbell are just some of the UAL names that feature heavily across multiple categories in The Progress 1000 – the Evening Standard’s celebration of the people who make a difference to London life.

The annual celebration of powerhouse names, that come from all of UAL’s six Colleges – cements UAL’s reputation as a global leader that fuels the world’s need for creativity.

UAL

Science and Technology
Dr Charlotte Webb

Design
John Sorrell, Former Chairman of UAL

Sir John Sorrell

Camberwell College of Arts, UAL

Social Media
Victoria Sin

Artists & Curators
Gregor Muir

Central Saint Martins, UAL

Eat & Drink
Ryan Chetiyawardana

Education
Andria Zafirakou

Andria Zafirakou

Screen
Gemma Chan
Colin Firth
Tom Hardy

UAL Honorary, Tom Hardy

Fashion
Charles Jeffrey
Kim Jones
Riccardo Tisci
Han Chong
Katie Grand
Roksanda Ilincic
Stella McCartney

UAL Honorary, Stella McCartney

Simone Rocha
Christopher Kane
Grace Wales Bonner
Charles Caseley-Hayford
Richard Quinn

Richard Quinn presented with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design by Her Majesty The Queen

Artists & Curators
Zarina Mohammed and Gabrielle de la Puenta – White Pube
Heather Phillipson
Yinka Shonibare

Yinka Shonibare

Social Media
Louis Chen – current student BA FD

Consumer
Sharmadean Reid

Design
Paul Priestman
Es Devlin
Tony Chambers
Robin Levien
Sebastian Conran

UAL Honorary Fellow, Sebastian Conran, with fellow UAL honoraries: Shane Smith, Kanya King and Laure Prouvost

Chelsea College of Arts, UAL

Design
Tom Dixon

Artists & Curators
Sir Anish Kapoor

Far right: Sir Anish Kapoor with fellow Chelsea College of Arts alumnus Alan Rickman

London College of Communication, UAL

Artists & curators
Jeremy Deller
Sarah Lucas

Comedy
Grace Campbell

Theatre
Kwame Kwei-Armah

Former UAL Chancellor, Kwame Kwei-Armah

London College of Fashion, UAL

Design
Hannah Emslie

Fashion
Bethany Williams
JW Anderson
Frances Corner

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of London College of Fashion, Frances Corner

Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

Social Media
Harry Weller

Artists & Curators
Lubaina Himid

Lubaina Himid

The Evening Standard #Progress1000 full list.

For more information about UAL and its courses.

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Turner-Prize winning artist, BAFTA-winning documentary maker, author and high-profile campaigner, Grayson Perry is to continue as Chancellor of UAL for another three years.

Grayson was officially announced Chancellor on 1 August 2015, following a longstanding relationship with the university. Grayson has served as UAL Governor and visiting lecturer, as well as being a vocal and active supporter of UAL, attending its annual final degree #UALSummerShows and wearing creations by Central Saint Martins fashion design students for over a decade.

UAL Chancellor, Grayson Perry at Central Saint Martins BA Fashion show 2018

As Chancellor, Grayson has imbued UAL with his trademark energy, giving voice to the importance of arts education and nurturing emerging talent across art, design, fashion, communication and performance.

Grayson addressing students and guests at UAL’s annual showcase, Xhibit 2017

Amongst many other notable highlights, Grayson has delivered tailored lectures across all of UAL’s six Colleges; lent his expertise in making tutorials; judged UAL’s annual artist showcase, Xhibit; promoted UAL’s final degree summer shows; participated in UAL’s annual Chancellor robes design competition; opened up his personal studio as a learning space to staff and students; and has promoted UAL’s outreach programme, championing diversity and accessibility in the arts.

UAL Chancellor, Grayson Perry with Channel 4’s Cathy Newman; Chelsea College of Arts post-graduate final degree show, 2015

Grayson commented:

“I am extremely proud to continue my role as UAL Chancellor. I have been part of the UAL family for years and you just have to look at my wardrobe to see what I think of the talent of its students! UAL continues to be the world’s biggest factory for trouble and I’m honoured to be part of it.

Accessing high quality education is critical to shaping an artist. You need to work hard, be nice – but also learn to make mistakes, and there’s no better place to do this than at art school. I am thrilled that I will continue to be part of UAL students’ journeys as they learn to use their skills to question the world around them and help change it for the better.”

Nigel Carrington, Vice-Chancellor of UAL said:

“We are honoured that Grayson Perry is extending his term as our Chancellor. Grayson stands for what is best in contemporary art and at the same time has fun with it. He has been a wonderful ambassador for UAL during his first term of office and, just as importantly, a great friend to our students.”

David Isaac, Chair of UAL said:

“Grayson always challenges convention and inspires dialogue on why the world needs creativity – the ethos that runs at the heart of UAL. I am proud to have the opportunity to work alongisde him to support the next generation of talent at UAL.”

UAL Chancellor, Grayson Perry at #UALGrads 2017 ceremonies, with VICE co-founder and UAL Honorary Doctor, Shane Smith; Head of London College of Communication, Natalie Brett; and UAL Vice-Chancellor, Nigel Carrington

Grayson was awarded the Turner Prize in 2003, the first time it was given to a ceramic artist. He was elected a Royal Academician in 2012, and received a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2013. In 2015 he was awarded Trustee of the British Museum and received a RIBA Honorary Fellowship in 2016.

Amongst countless other achievements, Grayson was the coordinator of the Royal Academy’s 250^th Summer Exhibition, earlier this year. The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever!, a major presentation of his work, was on view at Serpentine  Galleries, London, during the summer of 2017.

The making of The Vanity of Small Differences, Grayson’s monumental suite of tapestries exploring the subject of taste in contemporary Britain – was documented in the first of Grayson’s Channel 4 television series, All In the Best Possible Taste, a 2013 BAFTA Specialist Factual winner. Should we reference the more recent Rites of Passage, Channel 4?

Grayson scored his second BAFTA for the 2014 television series Who Are You?, about identity, which was followed by a solo presentation of works at London’s National Portrait Gallery. The topic of masculinity was the focus of his next television series in 2016, All Man, which was followed with the related book, The Descent of Man. Grayson also delivered The Reith Lectures, BBC Radio 4’s annual flagship talk series, in 2013.

Grayson’s work is held in museum collections worldwide, including: The British Museum, London; Tate Collection, London; Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; Stedelijk Museum; Amsterdam; Victoria & Albert Museum, London and Yale Center for British Art, New Haven among many others.

UAL Chancellor, Grayson Perry visiting London College of Communication final degree shows, 2017

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UAL has released the official film of The Making of Grayson’s Robes – an inside look at the drama behind the design that went into crafting Turner Prize-winner, Grayson Perry’s 2018 UAL Chancellor robes.

The film follows Grayson, as he pores over hundreds of eclectic designs submitted from UAL students, vying to top last year’s crowing graduation robes.  Previously open only to fashion design students – this year’s competition saw applications from students studying all disciplines, across UAL’s six renowned Colleges.

Go behind the scenes in Grayson’s personal studio, as winning London College of Fashion  BA (Hons) Fashion Textile: Knit student, Yuxuan Yang, is joined by over 90 makers to help transform a simple drawing, into a couture work of art.

Battling against the clock to complete the gown ahead of UAL’s Graduation ceremonies – watch how the team assembles ‘beading parties’ and tackle textile challenges, all the while working around the clock, as tensions mount.

Culminating in over 600 hours of labour, see how the final statement gown and head-piece is created – featuring 220,000 beads, each meticulously hand stitched over six kilos of pink lurex.  

Featured in the London Evening Standard, Grayson praised the efforts of the scores of technicians, tutors and students at London College of Fashion, UAL:

Grayson said:

“It’s great that someone like Yuxuan has designed the robes, but it was a collaborative process with all the students and the makers at UAL. I am very honoured to wear it.”

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With deep regret, the UAL community mourns the loss of past student, friend and inspirational HIV campaigner Jacob Alexander. Jacob joined UAL in 2013 studying BA Creative Direction for Fashion at London College of Fashion, living in our Costume Store halls of residence during some of his time at UAL.

Fellow students and staff had the privilege of working with Jacob in 2016 when aged 22 he launched The Positive Project, an awareness-raising app to stop the stigma around HIV. Jacob spoke selflessly about his own diagnosis and the project in a powerful TEDxUAL talk:

“I was diagnosed with HIV on my 22nd birthday. My mum was sat next to me when I received the call. I thought of all the people who don’t have support. How can we make the lives of those living with the virus better?

UAL sends condolences to Jacob’s family, friends, fellow activists and all those whose lives were made better by his work.

In support of Jacob’s tireless efforts to combat the stigma surrounding HIV, his family have set up this JustGiving page and encourage people to donate and help further research into HIV via the St Stephen’s Centre. 

Here, we share tributes to Jacob from some of those who knew him.

“Jacob will be fondly remembered by the course team on BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion. He was tenacious and always positive despite the obstacles he faced in his life. Jacob worked hard and always made time to thank those he collaborated with. He was a generous student who will be missed, but who has touched those that he worked with during his time at LCF.” – Kelly Dearsley, Programme Director Fashion Communication, School of Media and Communication, London College of Fashion

“I met Jacob in halls at UAL and we became great friends. The news has shaken through an entire community but it’s a real chance to bring everyone together in his honour and make sure that this doesn’t happen again.”  – Tommy Hibbitts- London College of Communication graduate

“Jacob was, in his own words, a universe of exploding stars. He was an incredible activist, designer and person who touched all of our lives tremendously. He once spent an evening photoshopping one of my acrylic nails back on in a photo without even mentioning it because he didn’t want it to look tacky, he was a perfectionist, so full of love to give, he just didn’t know how much we were ready to give it all right back to him.

I mean who else but Jacob could be diagnosed with HIV and use it as inspiration for his collection and ultimately The Positive Project. A Project he built to end HIV stigma and lessen the load of those who would be diagnosed the same as him. As I get older I realise how much we all wait for the next milestone or the next happening, we wait to make the moment perfect, live your lives now, tomorrow may never come.” – Kaycia Lauren Ainsworth- London College of Fashion graduate

“I knew Jacob for a few years and we enjoyed a few nights out with each other. He was always a very kind and generous soul who cared about those around him and those he felt were disadvantaged. He worked hard to combat the stigma surrounding HIV and it’s his legacy that we intend to keep alive for all the good that he had done.” – John Brock, friend

“Jacob was a beautiful and vivacious soul loved by all. He defended his friends fiercely and supported us all despite all of his hardships. We have lost a deeply talented and special individual whose selflessness will inspire me forever.”- Marianna Petrides – Central Saint Martins student

“Jacob was not only an inspiration to the HIV+ community, but a great friend and someone who I looked up to in many ways. His fabulous style, sense of humor and achievements in spreading awareness about HIV to name just a few. I only wish we could have done more.” – Harry Whitfield, friend

“A beautiful soul, a phenomenal artist, activist, dancer, dreamer and advocate for HIV / AIDS justice left the building this weekend. Jacob Alexander – A courageous human in life and death whose legacy is so huge and very much including a deep commitment to ending stigma, building loving community and fighting for HIV= rights and healthcare for all. I first met Jacob when he minced on into be a dancer in ‘HIV Blind Date’ a theater dating- show for people living with HIV / HEP to share the realities of life, love and struggle – read more here.

For this World AIDS Day we will be honouring Jacob by having an afternoon workshop for a new generation of HIV+ art-activists and then in the evening ‘HIV Blind Date’ and a good old knees up with DJ’s, cabaret and raucousness to celebrate the HIV+ community. If you would like to be involved / pay tribute in any way please shout us here and / or contact us – let’s do Jacob justice! Rest in Power (RIP) honey – until there is healthcare, love, life and liberty for all. Thank you for all you brought “- Dan Glass, activist with ACT UP LONDON

UAL would like to remind you that support is available to staff and students affected by this news or concerned about their wellbeing. Our Mental Health Advice Service provides support and guidance for enrolled students who are finding it difficult to cope with university life or who have existing conditions. Urgent appointments are available during office hours if you need to talk to someone quickly or in a crisis.

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UAL students will be taking over The RA in an epic birthday party on 8 December to celebrate its 250^th anniversary and examine museums of the future. The event, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be curated by UAL students, injecting a modern take on the RA’s history, collection and archive.

Visitors are invited to explore the RA’s two-acre site and undergo a multi-sensory experience across its two activated spaces, including PLAYGROUND and LABORATORY.

Book here.

PLAYGROUND
The RA’s historic Burlington House, a 17th century town-palace on Piccadilly, becomes a nostalgic and colourful art-filled playground. Visitors will discover:

The Birthday Party
Step inside this eclectic art-filled birthday party complete with artist led party games, oversized cake, art-making workshops and artist led party games, including: Piñatas Anatómico; Tonal Tangle; Artists Guess Who?; Art Party Hats; Balloon Life Sculpting; Pin the limbs on the sculpture.
Immersive art experience designed and curated by Helena Vannerley (Graphic Design, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL), Jennie Foot (Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL) Beatrice Morris (Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL) and Gilly Hernandez (Fashion Public Relations and Communications, London College of Fashion, UAL)

2268 Ball
A unique line-up of time bending DJs and performers. Expect the unexpected from acid house and disco, to baroque and ballet, at this one night era-defying ball. Featuring DJ sets from Japan Blues and Joewith more to be announced. Music and performances curated by Marco Pini (Graphic and Media Design, London College of Communication, UAL) and Scott Castner (Performance, Design and Practice, Central Saint Martins, UAL)

Slow Dance Takeover  
Slow Dance Takeover showcasing the best of UAL student DJs and musicians, featuring: PVA (Live) | acid house meets Bo Diddley; Rothko Williams b2b Glows | Disco, soul and oddities; FEMME Collective | Femme, queer and non-binary collective spin 90s classics.

LABORATORY

The recently renovated Burlington Gardens, plays host to an experimental programme of cutting-edge performances, sound art and experiences from emerging artists, current students and established practitioners including:

Museum Futures | RCA
Experience a multi-disciplinary exhibition produced by MA Information Experience Design students at the RCA that explores museums and galleries of the future.

Collections Gallery takeover
Site-responsive performances in the RA’s historic Collections Gallery, including cutting edge groups, Primeordial Soup, Dubmorphology and House of Decay:

Sonic Redux | Dubmorphology
Live sound art inspired by the RA’s Collections Gallery, Dubmorphology present this new artwork incorporating gallery recordings and responsive music to create a collective sonic space, a layered tapestry of past and imagined futures.

Eugene Waits | Primeordial Soup
Multi-disciplinary performance piece conceived and directed by Kimia Amina, produced in collaboration with Primeordial Soup Collective, and dancers from London School of Contemporary Dance and Trinity Laban. The performance explores the patterns of behaviour within a city, and the psychological evolution of the human mind.

House of Decay
Site-responsive performance from House of Decay, exploring the perception of fertility in Renaissance art from a queer perspective, through a multi-disciplinary programme of contemporary dance, voguing, fashion and live art.

Student Film Festival | UAL
Watch new short films by current UAL students, screened in the RA’s new Benjamin West Lecture Theatre.
Produced by Cameron Lee (Film Practice, London College of Communication, UAL), Freddie Wise (Painting, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL), Jessica Timbs (Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL)

In the Air 2018
Digital artwork exploring the movements of air and its relationship to time. The artist ‘paints in code’ to interactively programme pixels – recreating the timeless presence of air moving around us all, using technology to visualise the invisible.
Shirley Renwick (Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL)

Line of Sound
Showcasing boundary-pushing sound art and live DJs, featuring sets by Gribs, Lucaufer with more to be announced.
Curated by Marco Pini (Graphic and Media Design, London College of Communication, UAL)

FINDERS KEEPERS
Explore an underground space to discover secret happenings.

Hidden Archives
Experience a new soundscape, a sonic atmosphere created alongside oral histories from the RA Archives. The space invites you to consider the relationship between human perspectives as conveyed through oral histories and the detached wonder and immensity of night-time star-gazing.

Curated by Elvira Garcia (Culture, Criticism and Curation, Central Saint Martins, UAL) in collaboration with music producer Glows.

Quick on the DRAW

Take part in a series of 30-second drawing challenges that embrace mistakes and burst creative inhibitions at this playful drop-in activity.

Produced by Bill Redshaw (Foundation, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL)

RA Student Night: The Birthday Party
Saturday 8 December, 7 – 11pm
Royal Academy of Arts
The event is FREE. Booking is required.
BOOK HERE 

ABOUT THE UAL CURATOR PROGRAMME

In Autumn 2017, the Royal Academy of Arts partnered with Arts SU and UAL to programme a series of peer-led free events as part of the RA’s 250^th anniversary celebrations, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. Recruitment began for 12 student curators, two from each of UAL’s six world-renowned colleges, including Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. The final selection were chosen from over 330 applicants.

Through a series of Development Workshops delivered by Imogen Willetts, Lates and Special Events Creative Programmer at the Royal Academy, the UAL curators have learnt about the RA’s history, Collection and Archive, alongside experience design, creative programming and curation. The projects’ first outcome was programming spaces at the RA’s Arts Festival in July 2018, which saw an eclectic programme of site-specific installation, live music, workshops and DJs across the RA’s newly redeveloped Burlington Gardens Site.

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UAL students will be taking over The RA in an epic birthday party on 8 December to celebrate its 250^th anniversary and examine museums of the future. The event, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be curated by UAL students, injecting a modern take on the RA’s history, collection and archive.

Here we talk to the 12 student curators, selected across each of UAL’s six Colleges, who have masterminded the multisensory immersive event. Set across the RA’s two acre site – the event will showcase installation art, performances, DJs, immersive experiences and film screenings at this one-night-only carnival of art and music.

Final free tickets available here. Booking mandatory.

Scott Castner, Performance Design and Practice, Central Saint Martins, UAL; @gxthboi
Scott Castner is an international student from the United States. Drawing from his background in theatre, Scott works primarily with the human voice and dance in order to investigate and challenge our modern understanding of identity. His performances ask audiences to address their discomforts by addressing his own discomforts. He also works as a Director for Theatre.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: It feels so exciting. To have the opportunity to peek behind the curtain of such an amazing institution, and to then interpret and share that with my peers is exhilarating.

On programming the RA event: I worked on the 2268 Ball and the Collections Gallery Takeover.

On the importance of art and design: I love having a physical, tangible way to work through things I don’t understand.

Dream job post-graduation: As long as I’m paid and making art I’ll be happy.

Elvira García, Culture, Criticism and Curation, Central Saint Martins, UAL; @_elvira_garcia
Elvira Garcia studies Culture, Criticism and Curation and understands the curator’s role as a bridge towards new narratives which enrich both artworks and audience. She aims to build accessible exhibitions and gatherings that arouse empathy and reflection.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: Having the opportunity to reflect my curatorial interests with the support of an institution such as the RA – which, since its foundation as an Academy was devised as a place not only to display, but also learn – is particularly relevant. Getting such a close and practical understanding of the RA is a privilege which constantly complements my experience and learning within cultural work.

On programming the RA event: I curated ‘Hidden Archives’. Audiences are invited to encounter human knowledge as one looks into the starry night, drawing their own constellations. For this, I made a selection of evoking fragments from the RA Archives, which music producer Glows transformed then into a soundscape. The starry night will be projected into the ceiling, while the individual, is invited to lay, and encounter the archives far from its static character, but through the closeness of oral tradition.

On the importance of art and design: What fascinates me most about art is its capacity to remind us that an absolute picture does not exist. Each individual has the ability to create their own images, their own interpretation of the world.

Dream job post-graduation: To build relevant bridges between artwork and individuals – to assemble cultural work that arouses empathy and reflection.

Helena van Krieken Vannerley, Graphic Design, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL; @mayd_oll
Helena Vannerley is a self-proclaimed ‘accidental art student’ whose research-led work combines elements of graphics and traditional photographic techniques with a focus on creating pieces to share and explain.

Photo credit: Nahlah Alsree

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator:  It has taught me a lot. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to learn at the RA and it has helped me to work out more who I am as a designer as well as furthering my love for archives and collections within museums

On programming the RA event: As part of a team I designed and curated the RA Birthday Party.

On the importance of art and design: The ability of art and design to preserve moments and capture feelings is a wonderful thing. The subjectivity of perspective and interpretation means that art and design as disciplines are always in the moment and moving forward. I’m constantly surprised and excited by developments in the art and design world.

Dream job post-graduation: I’d like to study more after graduation, and develop my practice.

Freddie Wise, Fine Art Painting, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL; @mrcameronlee
Freddie Wise is a painting student at UAL from Stroud, Gloucestershire. Having finished his first year at Camberwell College of Arts, he has developed his interest in using found memories and thoughts to expose abstraction in figuration. His most recent work has involved swimming pools, pool tables and picnic blankets. Freddie’s work uses the material qualities of paint to explore objects as symbols through form, creating scenes not out of place on a cinema screen.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: I feel really lucky to be a part of the curating team. I’ve met some really great new people who I’ve learnt lots from and had fun with it.

On programming the RA event: I helped to program the UAL Film Festival as well as the balloon installation.

On the importance of art and design: I love the opportunities to work on projects with people and share the excitement of creativity.

Dream job post-graduation: Self Employed

Marco Pini, Graphic and Media Design, London College of Communication, UAL; @glowssound
Marco Pini is a graphic and sound artist. His work focuses primarily on manipulating digital recordings and printing processes. His current work is released through his GG Skips monkier and focuses on inventing new visual languages and scores to create generatively designed soundscapes. He also runs the label and events collective Slow Dance and releases music under Glows.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: An incredible opportunity to be part of such a great institution having come here for years.

On programming the RA event: I curated the music across the RA.

On the importance of art and design: It fills the void from day to day, the world is there to play with when you are a creative.

Dream job post-graduation: Events organiser

Cameron Lee, Film Practise, London College of Communication, UAL; @mrcameronlee
Cameron Lee is directing and producing a feature film set between his hometown of Chorley and the remote Scottish island of Jura, starring Krautrock legend Damo Suzuki. 2018 has been his most artistically satisfying year to date.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: It’s a great privilege to have been offered the role of UAL RA Curator and has offered me invaluable experience for my future career.

On programming the RA event: I helped to programme the UAL Film Festival, working with others to choose the films and put them together into what I hope will be a really good showcase of the variety of film making skills throughout UAL.

On the importance of art and design: I think it’s okay for art to be aesthetically pleasing and nothing else. Personally, I’m drawn to works which reflect thoughts, feelings, and ideas which are difficult to express in non-arts based forms. I’m also an fan of Oxford comma usage and think that it should be taught in schools as mandatory.

Dream job post-graduation: Ideally I’ll be able to fund my life off the back of making my own narrative feature films and freelance producing other people’s ideas – being self employed is the dream for me.

Calvin Cho, Creative Direction for Fashion, London College of Fashion, UAL; @Calviincho
Calvin Cho is currently in his second year studying Creative Direction in Fashion. He has completed an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Marketing and Management at Raffles College in Malaysia. During his academic pursuits, he has garnered skills in fashion branding, marketing, event planning and content curating.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: I feel very honoured that I got this opportunity to curate something to memorable and amazing.

On programming the RA event:  The BRIT school

On the importance of art and design: Two people can look at the same thing and have different perspectives and both be right.

Dream job post-graduation: Fashion Curator

Gilly Hernandez, Fashion Public Relations and Communications, London College of Fashion, UAL; @londonhummingbird
Gilly Hernandez is a first year student studying Fashion Public Relations and Communications. She grew up in Trinidad and then moved to New York at 18, where she lived for over 10 years before landing in London. After studying pattern cutting at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and working as a commercial display designer then later raising a family; she decided to return to full time education. In her spare time she writes on events in and around London with a focus on fashion.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: Being a fashion communication student, I feel privileged to have been chosen as an RA UAL Curator.  Returning to a degree after raising a family has been both challenging and wonderful and it’s an honour to be a part of the RA’s 250th Anniversary and be surrounded by such artistic students.

On programming the RA event:  I’m part of a team that programmed an art experience called the ‘Playground’ in the RA’s gilded Fine Rooms.  I created a layered streamer installation that acts as a photo backdrop for social media.

On art and design: Design for me is a beautiful form of communication that makes me feel alive! To quote Coco Chanel, “When I can no longer create anything, I’ll be done for”

Dream job post-graduation: Entrepreneurship

Tobi Alexandra Falade, Fine Art Painting, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL; @afalade
Tobi Alexandra Falade is a painter who’s practice includes mixed media such as collage, drawing, sculpture and photography to create works that draw on her Nigerian heritage and childhood in England. Her work is a merging and juxtaposition of these two cultures.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: I feel privileged to be a RA student curator because it was a rare opportunity to get a real insight into a unique arts institution, and the workings behind the scene, from archivists, artists and curators. Also to be able to have my ideas realised at such a renown institution with full creative freedom. I’ve learned a lot from visiting speakers and I have gained lots of skills to take away and develop. 

On programming the RA event: I programmed the “The Collaged Academy” architectural handout, Scenography, Signage, and the Brit School .

On art and design: I love art because of the way it reveals our inner intuition, through an external visual creative process.  Through art you can share this process with the world and find others who can relate, which is very special.

Dream job post-graduation: Practising fine artist and curator.

Beatrice Morris, Production Arts For Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL; @beatricetheace
Beatrice Morris uses set design to communicate a critique of society. Using a range of medium, her work ranges from miniature sets to full blown parades. Though bright and visually spectacular, her work will also be loaded with a deeper narrative. Concerned with atmosphere and the ability to evoke emotion, Beatrice creates both sets for screen, and interactive installation pieces, always exploring themes of identity, and the tension between past and future.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator:  Obviously it’s amazing working with the RA, an institution run by artists. Being asked to be part of it all, help promote fellow artists as well as art itself, just makes you feel a little proud. Proud of yourself for getting it, but also of all these incredible artists we work with.

On programming the RA event: I’ve got in installation up named ‘form’ that plays with the architecture of the RA. I’ve also been on the team curating the nostalgic birthday party in the fine room. If you come on the night, you’ll catch me there hosting a balloon life sculpting workshop.

On the importance of art and design: There’s often things that can’t be express in words, so we design.

Dream job post-graduation: A production designer is my dream career. But a dream job I’d say are the smaller projects I plan to squeeze in between films. I hope I’ll be able in a position where I can occasionally offer my set design services to charities maybe building them Christmas grottos or crazy golf courses – they’re the jobs I’m most looking forward to.

Jessica Timbs, Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL; @jessicatimbs
Jessica Timbs is currently studying Fine Art, having completed her Foundation Diploma at Camberwell College of Arts. She makes, records and writes about objects, exploring our relationships to material things.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: The chance to work with such a high profile institution in curating these events is an amazing opportunity, especially since a career as a curator is a path I have been considering for when I graduate. I was really happy to be selected. It was a great opportunity to learm more about curation from the staff at the RA and also be to be part of something that would have a much wider impact than my studio practice at university.

On programming the RA event: I’m helping coordinate the UAL film festival.

On the importance of art and design: I love that art makes me think more critically and exposes me to alternative ways of approaching things.

Dream job post-graduation: Anything where I’m paid to make interesting things.

Jennie Foot, Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL; @jennie.foot
Jennie Foot uses sound and moving image to construct installations that imply a narrative, as part of her Fine Art studies. Most of the themes within the works are derived from books or archival material that is re-contextualised in a gallery environment. More recently, she has been exploring public environments and liminal spaces, utilising this interest to create unsettling, evocative atmospheres.

On being selected as a UAL student RA curator: I feel very lucky to have been a part of such a wonderful opportunity. I feel intrigued and excited at the opportunity to be involved with curating and working within a team at an institution such as the RA. I have always been interested in curation, and find myself considering the dynamics of art spaces whenever I visit exhibitions. The idea of working within events and immersive experiences is perfect to me. Studying Fine Art at Chelsea has developed my interest in immersive installations, which is the practice I am currently exploring. I am inspired by places, events and installations that submerge the viewer into a different, memorable world.

On programming the RA event: I helped with the birthday party.

On the importance of art and design: The diverse range of different influences and concepts that inform work

Dream job post-graduation: To be a part of a collective with people from various creative backgrounds

Read more about our UAL student curators here.

Book your free place here.

The post Meet the UAL curators behind RA’s 250th birthday party appeared first on UAL News.

UAL has partnered with Hayward Gallery to celebrate: diane arbus: in the beginning – 13 February – 6 May 2019.

Photographer Diane Arbus is one of the most prominent and influential artists of the 20th century – the American master developed the direct, psychologically acute style for which she later became so widely celebrated.  Arbus discovered the majority of her subjects in New York City, from Fifth Avenue to the Lower East Side, from Times Square to Coney Island. Creating some of the most compelling photographs in the history of post-war photography, she depicted a cross-section of urban life, including portraits of couples and children, solitary city dwellers, carnival performers, strippers, and transvestites.

UAL students have been exclusively invited to respond to the work, themes and spirit of Diane Arbus.

CALL OUT: Does your photography capture the zeitgeist of London and its population in our post Trump/post Brexit society? Do you love capturing up close and personal images of your sujects, revealing hidden truths? Are you inspired by the stories behind people’s faces?

Submitted works will be judged by @Hayward.Gallery, with selected photographers given an instagram-feature on @Hayward.Gallery during the exhibition. A selection of work will also be displayed on digital screens at Southbank Centre. You will also be given a private exhibition preview/tour.

Deadline: Monday 14 January 2019
Submit to: press.office@arts.ac.uk
Max file size: 2MG/ 10 images max
You MUST include: Name; Course; College; your Instagram handle and a brief description of the inspiration behind your work.

(L-R: Stripper with bare breasts sitting in her dressing room, Atlantic City, N.J. 1961 . Jack Dracula at a bar, New London, Conn. 1961 . Kid in a hooded jacket aiming a gun, N.Y.C. 1957 . All images: Courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Copyright © The Estate of Diane Arbus, LLC. All Rights Reserved.)

The exhibition includes nearly 100 photographs that redefine the achievement of one of the most prominent and influential artists of the 20th century.

Presented across the upper floor of the Hayward Gallery, this solo show includes some 50 photographs which have never been shown in Europe, all vintage prints from the Diane Arbus Archive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

The exhibition traces Arbus’ growth from her early work with a 35mm camera to the distinctive square format she began using in 1962. Nearly half the photographs that Arbus printed during her lifetime were produced during these years, yet much of this early work remains little known. diane arbus: in the beginning brings to light many haunting, yet lesser-known, works such as Boy stepping off the curb, N.Y.C . 1957–58; The Backwards Man in his hotel room, N.Y.C. 1961 ; and Jack Dracula at a bar, New London, Conn. 1961 .

© The Guardian

Along with a prescient series of images featuring movies projected on theatre screens, these rarely seen pictures illuminate the profound and continuing impact of Arbus’ photographs on contemporary art. Arbus first began making photographs in the early 1940s when she received a camera as a gift from her husband, Allan.

Whilst working as a stylist in their fashion photography business for 15 years Arbus created her own pictures only intermittently, but in 1956 she numbered a roll of 35mm film #1, as if to symbolise the definitive beginning of her career as an artist. Over the course of the next seven years Arbus’ photographic style evolved as she documented individuals and interacted closely with her chosen subjects.

© The Guardian

Whereas many other photographers working at the time, such as Walker Evans, Garry Winogrand and Lee Friedlander, would often play the role of passive observer or even conceal their cameras, Arbus’ images are fuelled by the intensity of direct personal encounters with her subjects. This exchange on both sides of the camera — between seeing and being seen — raises existential questions that ultimately transmit themselves onto the viewer.

Arbus always believed she had something special to offer the world, a glimpse of its many secrets:

“I do feel I have some slight corner on something about the quality of things. I mean it’s very subtle and a little embarrassing to me but I really believe there are things which nobody would see unless I photographed them.”

diane arbus: in the beginning is organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and curated by Jeff L. Rosenheim, curator in Charge of the Department of Photographs. The special exhibition design was devised for the first presentation at The Met Breuer in 2016 and has been adapted for Hayward Gallery. Each photograph is presented on an individual free-standing wall and visitors are encouraged to navigate their own individual routes through the exhibition,experiencing one-on-one encounters with these intimate works. This innovative approach provides a glimpse into the way Arbus navigated the world in which she photographed.

Among the many outstanding works in this exhibition that have not been shown previously in Europe are Jack Dracula at a bar, New London, Conn. 1961, Taxicab driver at the wheel with two passengers, N.Y.C. 1956, Female impersonator holding long gloves, Hempstead, L.I. 1959, and Man in hat, trunks, socks and shoes, Coney Island, N.Y. 1960.

© The Guardian

Find out more about UAL’s photography courses here.

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