Event contact Joanne Lee

Following the death of Albert Hunt last year, we are reflecting on his contribution to the Art School here in Bradford during the decades of the sixties, seventies and early eighties. As expanded on in his book ‘Hopes for Great Happenings’ he contributed to a radical, experiential and open ended learning approach that was hugely influential for students at that time.

Like many cutting edge thinkers and educators he used new technology in the form of video combined with theatre as an empowering tool. The conference will also address and debate the current challenges to the Art School and its present capacity to empower students and its position within the community and society as a whole. 

The conference builds on others such as ‘What’s the point of Art School? held at Central and Saint Martins in 2013 and more recently ‘Just what it is that makes today’s art schools so different, so appealing?’ that was held at the ICA in 2014. This conference launches our research centre entitled ‘The Northern Centre for Research into Art and Material Culture: Process/Philosophy and Praxis’ and also debates the challenges for young students who are not from a wealthy background: the loss of potential to the wider community and the economy of such individuals as John Lennon and David Hockney both of whom were nurtured by the art school system.

10.00 Registration and Coffee
10.30 Welcome: Pam Brook, Head of School
10.40 Readings: Dr Robert Galeta, Lecturer in Art History and Theory
11.00 Keynote: John Fox
11.40 Panel Discussion: Dr Robert Galeta, Chris Vine, John Fox, Michael Randall
12.30 Lunch Break
13.30 Joanne Lee Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University
14.00 Dr Dean Kenning Post-Doctoral Researcher, The School of Fine Art, Kingston University
14.30 Dr Andy Abbott Producer Visual Arts and Music for University of Bradford
15.00 Tea Break
15.30 Plenary
16.00 Close

Places are free and should be booked through Eventbrite