Young Curators
An Arts Council funded project that brought together Art Addict, The Brampton Museum and Art Gallery and Madeley School. A group of young people from Madeley School curated a free public exhibition of artworks from Art Addict’s collection that was displayed at the Brampton from February to April 2024.
Below are the project Press Releases, press the project has received and images from the exhibition, please contact us for further information.
A selection of press the project has received
The project was featured on BBC Midlands Today - a local reporter came to the Museum whilst the group were installing the exhibition to interview the young curators about the project.
BBC News article - Read here
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council - Read here
Staffordshire Living - Read here
Education on Fire podcast - Listen/watch here
Stoke on Trent Live (article) - Read here
Stoke on Trent Live (in pictures) - Read here
PRESS RELEASE No 2
Staffordshire school students announce contemporary artists to feature in unique exhibition
· The Young Curators ‘Through the Frame’ exhibition includes work by Hirst, Emin and Hockney
· Exhibition opens on February 10 at The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
· Project has been supported with a £22,900 grant from Arts Council England
A group of Staffordshire school students will open their first contemporary art exhibition next month featuring limited edition works from a range of artists including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and David Hockney.
The exhibition at Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Brampton Museum is entitled ‘Through the Frame’ and will also feature the artworks packaging to emphasise the ‘wow factor’ when each artwork was first seen by the exhibition’s ‘Young Curators’ from Madeley School.
‘Through the Frame’, which opens to the public from February 10th until April 14th, is the culmination of six months of planning and is a collaboration between 14 Key Stage 3 and 4 students from the school, art dealer and former Madeley pupil Dr Jack Roberts (Art Addict) and The Brampton Museum.
The idea for the Young Curators Art Project, which is an extra-curricular activity, was devised by Madeley School’s Faculty Leader of Performance and Creativity, Katie Leath and Dr Roberts, who is a former pupil of Katie’s.
Ahead of the opening of the exhibition, the Young Curators said: “We wanted to take this amazing opportunity to share some brilliant artwork and to make art accessible for everyone.
“We have artists such as Damien Hirst, David Shrigley, Tracey Emin, Harland Miller, Jeff Koons, Kaws and a piece by David Hockney.
“Our exhibition is called “Through the Frame,” and it exhibits the pieces of art with their packaging and the boxes they come in.”
Dr Roberts, who has shared his art expertise with the pupils throughout the project and has provided all of the artwork that will be on display, explained the thought process behind the exhibition’s title.
He said: “I think the experience of seeing the boxes before the art, built the anticipation for the group, making them even more excited to see the artworks when they were opened.
“The excitement that they felt when they saw each artwork has guided their selection. Some pieces I took in didn’t really get the deep ‘wow’ that others did as they were opened. The real ‘wow’ pieces are the ones that were selected.
“The theme of the exhibition ‘Through the Frame’ is about looking at the artists’ ideas, trying to look at meanings to the artworks, such as why they were made. The students want to give more insight into the artworks and their thinking process.
“The exhibition will feature black boards showing a mind map of their ideas and thoughts. A David Shrigley teapot, a nod to the region’s pottery heritage, will be displayed on a potter’s wheel. The students want the exhibition to have a ‘behind the scenes’ feel that makes visitors think they are in the artist’s studio.”
The students will personally install the works at Brampton Gallery ahead of the grand opening and will also host an invite-only private viewing on February 9th.
Lee Nixon, Madeley School Principal said: "We are immensely proud of the students and staff at Madeley School for their involvement in The Young Curators Art Project.
“This collaboration with Dr Jack Roberts, the Brampton Museum, and other project partners exemplifies the creativity and dedication within our school community.
“The project not only provides a unique opportunity for students to curate a high-profile exhibition but also aligns with our commitment to enriching the educational experience through engagement with the arts. We appreciate the support of the Arts Council, the Shaw Education Trust, and all those involved in making this innovative project a reality."
‘Through the Frame’ will be amongst the first exhibitions to be held at The Brampton Museum following an £850,000 two-year transformation, which includes a new gallery.
Teresa Mason, Culture and Arts Manager, Brampton Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Madeley School and Dr Jack Roberts on this innovative and ground-breaking project.
“Brampton Museum are looking forward to enhancing the students’ skills and knowledge of curating a high-profile exhibition of contemporary artists which will be on-show in 2024.
“We are looking forward to seeing how these young people from the Borough interpret this fantastic art collection.”
The Brampton Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1:30pm to 5pm.
The Young Curators Art Project has been supported by funding from Arts Council England via the National Lottery Project Grants.
ENDS
Issue date: 19 January 2024
Website links
Madeley School - https://madeleyschool.org/
The Brampton Museum - https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/museum
Art Addict - https://www.artaddict.org.uk/
Exhibition leaflet
PRESS RELEASE No 1
A Staffordshire school secures £22k Arts Council England funding to stage a major contemporary art exhibition in Newcastle-under-Lyme
· The Young Curators Art Project involves 14 pupils from Madeley School, Brampton Museum & Art Gallery and former pupil and art dealer Dr Jack Roberts
· The exhibition will feature contemporary artwork from Dr Jack Roberts
· Brampton Museum will host the exhibition in early 2024
A group of Staffordshire school pupils are to curate a high-profile contemporary art exhibition after securing funding from Arts Council England.
The Young Curators Art Project, which has been backed to the tune of £22,900 from Arts Council England via the National Lottery Project Grants, is a collaboration between 14 Key Stage 3 and 4 students at Madeley School, art dealer and former Madeley pupil Dr Jack Roberts and The Brampton Museum in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The six-month long project will introduce the young curators to a range of art experts and freelance professionals to learn about curating an exhibition, which will be held at The Brampton Museum between February and April 2024.
Plans for the art exhibition, including the title and selected artworks, will be unveiled in January 2024.
The idea for the project, which is an extra-curricular activity, was devised by Madeley School’s Faculty Leader of Performance and Creativity, Katie Leath and Dr Roberts, who is a former pupil of Katie’s.
Dr Roberts, owner of commercial art dealing business Art Addict, said: “My interest in art was initially kindled at Madeley School by my art teacher Katie Leath. I have followed my passion, and I am now an art dealer and an artist in my own right - art is my life.”
“It’s great being involved in The Young Curators Project as I’m coming back to where it all started for me. I will share my experience of curating exhibitions, while I am also opening up my entire art collection, allowing the young curators the opportunity to select artwork for an outstanding exhibition from some of the world’s best-known artists.”
The Young Curators Project, which also involves the school’s Head of Art Gemma Stockdale, has a number of aims including enhancing the skills and knowledge of the students and introducing them to a range of professionals within the sector.
In preparing for the exhibition, the pupils will engage with art framers, exhibition curators, artists and journalists, as well undertaking a number of visits to galleries.
The project also looks to share the artwork with the wider Staffordshire community. The free exhibition, which will open in early February and run for nine weeks, will bring contemporary art by famous artists to a locality where the public rarely have the opportunity to engage with or view high-end contemporary art.
Katie Leath said: “This is an incredibly exciting project for us at the school and especially for the pupils involved. All of them are incredibly enthusiastic and committed to the Young Curators Project.”
“It is a unique collaboration between the school, the gallery and Dr Roberts, and we’re grateful to them, our other project partners and everyone else involved in making this happen including the Shaw Education Trust and the Arts Council.
“The school is currently on its Artsmark Award journey and this project will help the school to achieve some of its Artsmark aims, such as ‘To empower all pupils to increase their engagement in Arts and Culture’.”
Describing itself as a hidden gem, the Brampton Museum has undergone a £850,000 two-year transformation, which includes a new gallery.
Teresa Mason, Culture and Arts Manager, Brampton Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Madeley School and Dr Jack Roberts on this innovative and ground-breaking project.
“Brampton Museum are greatly looking forward to enhancing the students’ skills and knowledge of curating a high-profile exhibition of contemporary artists which will be on-show in 2024.
“We are looking forward to seeing how these young people from the Borough interpret this fantastic art collection.”
Issued: 11 December 2023
Madeley School - https://madeleyschool.org/
The Brampton Museum - https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/museum
Art Addict - https://www.artaddict.org.uk/
Jack and one of the Young Curators installing Kaws ‘Share’. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
One of the Young Curators painting the wall surrounded by Damien Hirst ‘Empresses’ and Harland Miller ‘XXX’. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
One of the Young Curators installing Kaws ‘Chum’. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
Young Curators working on interpretation boards. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
One of the Young Curators installing Kaws ‘Chum’. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
Visitors to the exhibition Private View. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
Visitors to the exhibition Private View. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
Gemma Stockdale (Madeley School), Jack Roberts (Art Addict), Katie Leath (Madeley School). Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
Visitors to the Private View looking at Damien Hirst H12-1 Beautiful, Just-Made Vapor Painting. Photograph courtesy of Jenny Harper Photography
