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Graduate embraces educational challenge at Cornish Art Gallery
01.06.10
A graduate employed by an award-winning Cornish gallery and arts space through the ESF Convergence supported Unlocking Cornish Potential (UCP) programme has strengthened relationships with the educational sector by introducing a series of workshops, artist collaborations and student support linked to the National Curriculum.
UCP has received ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence investment. A Combined Universities in Cornwall scheme it places graduates with businesses in Cornwall for up to one year and offers support including mentoring from experts in their fields.
Kirsty Lowry was employed in January 2009 as Education Officer at Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange to assist the Learning and Inclusion Manager in the delivery of programmes, with the aim of increasing audiences from the education sector. Four months into Kirsty’s role, a staff move meant that the role of Learning and Inclusion Manager became vacant. After successfully applying for the role, Kirsty took up her new post in July.
Kirsty said, “Stepping up to the role of Learning and Inclusion Manager was certainly a challenge, but it was a challenge I felt able to cope with, particularly with the support of UCP. I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to not only develop a vision for the gallery, but to trial it and see where we want to go in the future.
“The support offered by UCP through both mentoring and business support has been invaluable. Coming from primarily an arts background, I had limited knowledge about marketing and graphic design but I received huge support from my UCP mentors enabling me to produce all new marketing material in-house.”
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said, “Kirsty has pulled together her experience from a range of disciplines in order to make a measurable difference to both Newlyn Art Gallery and her local community, as well as embracing the design and marketing challenges that faced her.”
Kirsty, a former Truro College pupil, graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art in 2000 from the Winchester School of Art after completing a BTEC foundation studies in Art and Design from the Falmouth College of Arts. Following her graduation, Kirsty went on to complete a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education at the University of Brighton.
As well as exceeding the gallery’s school visit targets, Kirsty has built strong relationships with external bodies including Cornwall Council. A series of educational workshops as well as artist-lead evening courses for adults have proved to be a huge success. Kirsty’s involvement in The Lab, a weekly group allowing young people from the area to work together and create their own art project culminating in an exhibition, has built up a strong following and an ambitious range of workshops for young people to attend during school holidays has been popular.
James Green, Director of the Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange said, “Kirsty’s strong background in Art and Design together with her knowledge of the education system have enabled her to approach the challenges of the project with confidence and enthusiasm. I am delighted that Kirsty’s original target of attracting 2000 participants from schools to the gallery in 12 months was exceeded in half that time, and the success of the workshops and collaborations is testament to Kirsty’s hard work and commitment to the project.”
Steve Bough, Unlocking Cornish Potential Business Development Manager said, “Kirsty’s project has been successful in many ways. She not only adapted to the changes at the gallery but she diligently and systematically set about delivering her project objectives. She exceeded the targets which were set and made full use of her mentor time and the training available. Meetings were always fun and constructive and Kirsty has significantly helped to up the profile of Newlyn within the community and the wider schools network. All-in-all it was a great and successful project to be involved in.”
For further information:
Kirsty Lowry
Tel: 01736 363715
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager, Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Tel: 01872 241379 / 07973 813647. cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
Editors’ notes:
For further information see: www.convergencecornwall.com
Convergence helpline telephone: 0800 0280120.
