2025 International Forum on Art & Design Education. Beihai University of Art and Design

Opening plenary – "Views from the TOP". BUCA Conference, London.

Thought leadership discussion hosted by StudyPortals Innovators Dinner, London.

Chair, Council for High Education in Art & Design

The Shift: Harmonising the Arts, AI and technology for sustainable futures The rate at which technology is advancing presents both opportunities and challenges for the fields of art and design, as well as society. The intersection of art, design and technology is leading to new forms of artistic expression, storytelling, design, and even ways of solving complex problems. However, traditional jobs roles in the creative sector will shift, with the need for new skills and competencies in our future graduates. This brings challenges for HE to address, not least the emergence of generative AI, the digital divide and equity of access to technology and issues of ethics and intellectual property. This in turn will hamper the sectors’ potential to address pressing issues such as the climate emergency and social equity.

The Weekend Celebration of Creativity brings together local and national artists to Derby City. This event promises to immerse and captivate visitors in a world of new and innovative contemporary artworks, with a blend of visual arts, live performances, music, and spoken word. Premiering 12 new commissions, born from the heart of Derby/shire and created in collaboration with the people, arts organisations and charities, will be presented in both cultural spaces and unconventional venues across the city.

UK New Artists will celebrate the beginning of Taking Place: Derby with a showcase of work by some of the best up-and-coming artists from the New Artist Collective #2; a cross-disciplinary group of 12 artists, selected from a nationwide open call. Taking Place (People, Place and Practice) is a programme of creative commissions, interventions and ideas generation which will run in Derby from April to October 2024, developed and led by UKNA and the New Artist Collective #2.

Unlocked: Creativity and Culture for Positive Change: The cultural sector and creative industries are recognised for supporting levelling up agendas and seen as key drivers of employment and innovation across the globe (UNDP & UNESCO, 2013) with the institutions and organisations delivering creative education at the heart of these agendas since their inception. After the seismic impacts of the global pandemic, there is a pressing need for cultural, economic and social transformation and recovery.

Three unique organisations are collaborating to provide a significant platform and a stepping stone for new artists. Now in its fourth iteration, The Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year Award in collaboration with Saatchi Gallery discovers and champions exceptional artists who are representative of contemporary Britain.

The Weekend Celebration of Creativity brings together over 38 local and national artists to Lincoln City. This inaugural event promises to immerse and captivate visitors in a world of new, extraordinary, and innovative contemporary artworks, with a dynamic blend of visual arts, theatre, live performances, music, and spoken word.

Council for Higher Educationin Art & Design

The Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award 2022, in collaboration with Saatchi Gallery and UK New Artists, provides a significant platform for artists within the first 10 years of their practice, presenting dynamic artworks from the finalists and awarding £10,000 to the winner and £5,000 to the runner-up.

All Party Parliamentary Group discussion exploring "How can Art and Design research and Arts research methodologies help tackle the biggest challenges faced by the UK?"

Keynote Speaker: ACUADS, The Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools Title of paper: The effects of the pandemic on our creative schools: responses, challenges, political rhetoric and the future

Invited to be a panellist to discuss the local aspect of this symposium in light of my civic work and engagement in the city.

Reorienting the Art School: panel discussion. The session focussed on reorienting the art school, how this has been impacted by COVID-19 and the pivot to virtual. The panel will consider reconceptualising the studio, and the implications for art and design higher education as we move forward. how the established model of an art and design school, with its community and focus on ‘studio and practice-based’ learning is being questioned. The integrity of an art school experience is being challenged.

UK New Artists

Discussion re: the English Baccalaureate and its impact on the creative industries and applicant pipeline. Findings from our discussions and many other stakeholders discussions fed into the wider consultative report

Expert panel member exploring Foundation Diploma

Focus on review of Route A and B entry routes and DPSG advised Govt and UCAS on appropriate changes.

round table discussion at House of Commons for an All Party Group Design and Innovation Group (APDIG) that reviewed the present state of design education in secondary schools and recruitment to university courses, with a particular focus on the impact on the wider industry arising from a sustained reduction in the take up of creative arts courses in Secondary Schools.

Invited to contribute to a senior level delegation of Derby and Derbyshire politicians who visited the Shanghai Expo