Any questions about the arts?

Distinguished speakers from the arts, education and museums highlighted that arts and culture is for everyone but that class barriers still affected access, which is an area for concern. It was universally agreed that it is desirable to support the arts as a means of promoting and enabling everyone to live in a good and civilised society. Within this, research-intensive universities have an indispensable role contributing to culture and society within their region, making it an attractive place to live and work. Research projects in which academics work closely with organisations to share their extensive research knowledge and learn from the organisations they collaborate with were discussed. The panel agreed that academic research can be of vital importance to organisations of all kinds, as well as the community as a whole. University of Exeter academics are currently working on cultural projects with organisations such as Alton Towers, British Library, BT, Network Rail, HM Prison Service and Porthcurno Telegraph Museum in Cornwall.

Professor Helen Taylor, University Arts and Culture Development Fellow, explained that the University is delighted to demonstrate its many collaborative relationships with arts and culture organisations and individuals across the South West: ‘This is a creative campus in a richly creative region. As part of our international as well as local ambitions, we cherish and wish to develop further our research, teaching and outreach relationships with regional theatres, museums, councils and groups.’

The Any questions about the arts event also launched the Arts and Culture Strategy which aims to promote the University’s outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Devon and Cornwall and enhance the cultural life of the region. It promotes international cultural relationships through highly ranked arts research and teaching practice and performance. The University’s staff and students create partnerships and engage actively with the arts community through galleries, museums, theatres and literature festivals. With its top rated arts and humanities research, and venues such as the Great Hall, Exeter Northcott, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Bill Douglas Centre Museum, Kay House for music, Sculpture Trail, the forthcoming Forum and proposed Environment and Sustainability Institute in Cornwall, the campuses are vibrant centres for artistic and cultural excellence. This makes for a considerable impact on the South West region and beyond.

Professor Taylor added, ‘Our art installations such as the recently commissioned work by architectural glass artist Alexander Beleschenko are of regional, national and international significance. The November 2010 Exeter Children’s Literature Festival which is the opening event for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad ‘WordQuest Devon’ will feature Michael Morpurgo, Michael Rosen and Floella Benjamin. These cultural and artistic programmes contribute to the University’s aim of consolidating its position as a Top 10 UK university and a major world player.’

The panel of experts, chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, consisted of Professor Geoffrey Crossick (Warden of Goldsmith’s, and Vice-Chancellor designate, University of London), Professor Raj Isar (American University of Paris), Alan Rivett (Director, Warwick Arts Centre), Professor Nick Kaye (Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Literatures, University of Exeter) and Camilla Hampshire (Museums Manager, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter).