ISAACS UK
Sally Fort is currently working with cultural learning company Isaacs UK, to research the creative and early years sectors, identifying the opportunities for a nationwide network sharing case studies, resources, good practice, professional development and artists with specialist experience in working with very young children.
A national survey forms the basis of the research, which is open to anyone working with creativity and very young children on any scale. To contribute to the research and complete the survey (which takes approximately 20 minutes) please click here...
UK DIY CRAFT SECTOR / TURNPIKE GALLERY
Sally Fort was funded by Arts Council England, North West to carry out
preliminary research into the contemporary DIY crafts sector, making
comparisons with this field in other areas of the world, particularly
the US. The project was two-fold: to act as a feasibility study around
the potential for a major North West exhibition; and to identify gaps
and areas for development within the creative industries around the
increase of young alternative crafters and their entrepreneurial needs.
Turnpike Gallery have since commissioned Sally to build on this, identifying the feasability of a regional partnership project exploring DIY craft through a number of actual and virtual exhibitions, events and projects. A funding application has been submitted to develop this project for Spring 2009. The project's progress can be followed here...
TOURING EXHIBITIONS GROUP
TEG (Touring Exhibitions Group) is the UK's professional membership organisation concerned with the support and development of all aspects of organising and touring exhibitions.
Fort Resources have been appointed to carry out a major 2 year research project for TEG looking at the shape of, potential for, and barriers to touring exhibitions. more...
TATE LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Tate Liverpool commissioned the research and writing of a module as part of Manchester Metropolitan University's Urban Education Masters degree. The module explored contemporary art collections and practice in relation to gallery education and social inclusion in areas of urban regeneration. more...
BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE
Creative Partnerships, Arts Council England NW and Manchester City Council commissioned Fort to carry out a scoping exercise in relation to Building Schools for the Future.
As part of DfES' major investment in the redevelopment and rebuild of England's secondary schools, the 3 partners wanted to assess the creative opportunities for pupils and teachers to contribute to, and benefit from, changes at their schools. Working with 4 secondary schools in Manchester, Fort identified a number of possible outputs which the above partners could continue developing. more...
ENGAGE
Conference 2007
Researching current trends around how young people engage with and benefit from contemporary art. Resulting in a report offering direction, content, speakers and case studies for the conference in November 2007. The research identified three key themes which can be developed further:
Internationalism - looking at Western art historical perspectives, migration, international policy development, the Olympics, internationally working artists, and UK / overseas cultural exchange programmes in galleries and education.
Artforms & Young People - how young people relate to and work with digital media, and the built environment. For example PDA based interpretation in galleries, exhibitions integrating new / digital media and the associated programmes for them, CRB and image permissions for digital distribution, public art, sculpture, Building Schools for the Future projects working with young people as clients, the growth in built environment exhibitions and activity for young people, citizenship cross-over with educational developments such as the 14-19 creative curriculum, differences and similarities between 'art' and 'creativity'.
Methodologies - peer-led activity; young people's steering groups and panels; vocational opportunities; award schemes; learning styles; communication and programming methods; practical and critical skills; exhibiting young people's work in the gallery; non-traditional education settings such as pupil referral units, hospital schools and looked after young people.
The role of regional reps
Research into the role of Engage Council members / regional representatives to assess the purpose of the role from the council / representative's perspective to identify gaps with the vision of the role from Engage central office. Also to identify barriers to delivering the role to its full potential, or any training needs, additional resources or other support required by regional reps. The findings of this research contributed to Engage's business development strategy and continues to inform the development of regional and council activity, and communication strategies within Engage.