Education History

Introduction

“Site is an important player in gallery education development – regionally, nationally and internationally. It is one of only a handful of creative, high-quality gallery education programmes in the UK which are clearly engaged with local opportunities and needs, always thinking imaginatively how to relate art and artists to different audiences in targeted original projects, and always working to high standards and high theoretical demands”.
 Christopher Naylor – Director, engage (National Association of Gallery Education)

Site’s vibrant history of innovative work in gallery education stretches back 30 years to its early days as Untitled photography gallery. Early education activity included the touring of a huge Camera Obscura – a large red tent with a darkroom and camera all in one and seminars with photographers such as Paul Hill and Martin Parr.

As the gallery has evolved and expanded, so have the possibilities and reach of the education programme. At its heart, there has always been a commitment to inclusion, ingenuity and the hands-on exploration of creativity. Over the years a vast spectrum of individuals have engaged with different experiences in and beyond the gallery. Members of the public and people of all ages from community and voluntary groups, schools, colleges and universities have taken part in everything from taster sessions and one off workshops to accredited courses and long-term creative projects.

We are proud of Site’s ongoing partnerships and pioneering work with a wide diversity of groups within the educational framework of a contemporary art gallery.

Highlights from Site’s educational achievements over the years

“With the support of staff I’ve discovered a new passion in life, something that I will carry on for a long time”. Participant – Sheffield Association for People with Cerebral Palsy

• Long-term opportunities for young people [14 to 18s] to engage with new and established creative technologies through hands-on workshops and projects as part of Site’s Inter_active!, a bi-monthly Saturday programme open to members of the public [1998 – 2004].

• Engaging older people in the creative use of technology through the Silver Surfers project

• Involving transnational exchange in the Imaginary Boarders and FAME [Forum for Active Methods in Education] projects, working with partners in Finland, Spain, Bosnia and Croatia.

• Collaborating with universities on new models of practical and critical connections with under-graduate students in Hey Presto! and quark-antiquark.

• Developing creativity / Widening participation / other projects pre and post 2004.

• The production of screens, CDRoms, publicly sited exhibitions and large scale billboards.

• Collaborations with amp (part of the Connexions Service) on the Fused programme, offering creative response workshops and projects around the Site’s exhibitions programme.

Access and inclusion

“I have been enormously impressed with the work done by young women over the last few years. I know that all involved have benefited in terms of increased confidence, self esteem and the opportunity to work creativity”. Committee member – Young Women’s House Project

Some of the community and voluntary groups Site has worked with in an educational framework:

Lai Yin Association [Chinese Community Centre]
Headway [Head Injuries Group]
AWAAZ [Young Asian Women’s Training Project]
The Somali Youth Media Project
The Deaf Youth Centre
Roshni [Asian Women’s Project]
The Manor Youth Project
The Young Women’s Housing Project [Working with Vulnerable Young Women]
Sheffield Association for People with Cerebral Palsy
Nomad Plus [Supporting Young Adults into Independent living]