Publications

Widening the audience for visual artists

By: a-n

Audience development is core within galleries and arts organisations seeking diverse participation in programmes. Here, we examine how they create accessibility, inclusion and encourage learning and engagement with artists and artworks through activities including workshops, residencies and other projects.

Situated on the ramparts of walled border town Berwick upon tweed, the Gymnasium gallery hosts the Berwick Gymnasium Gallery Fellowships. These are prestigious opportunities for professional artists who need time and space to develop their work. the fellowship holds high status within the artistic community and provides a platform for professional development for artists, some of whom have become Turner Prize nominees. The gallery and fellowships are part of the English Heritage contemporary art programme. In recent years, the number of exhibitions has increased from three to seven annually, with new, often challenging, works generated by fellows shown in winter months. By increasing the number of exhibitions to include those with a wider appeal and including a talks programme, the gallery now welcomes a more diverse local and regional audience. As the artists' remit is to make work in response to the location, they often work with local individuals and groups both during their research and realisation of their work. Workshops with school groups are designed to encourage engagement and interest with art from young people who may return to the gallery with families. The gallery...

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