Erasmus Exchange Program with Fine Art Dept in Newcastle

Photo: Neil Thompson

In the fist phase, artistic staff will hold guest lectures at each other's institutions. The first guest lecture was held by Professor Andrew Burton of the School of Arts and Cultures, Newcastle University. He is a reknowned sculptor working with different materials and installations.

Further lectures will follow during the spring period.

A collaboration in the working
Richard Launder, Associate Professor at Subject Area Ceramics, has worked on establishing the program and the connections with Newcastle and KHiB.

- I am very pleased to see that our plans have materialised, says Launder.

- Andrew's visit is the official start of the program, and is a landmark as such. He will be followed by colleuge Assistant Professor Katie Cuddon later. Myself and Anne Helen Mydland will do a return staff visit to Newcastle in March of 2012.

- In a long perspective, I also hope that we can offer exchange for students at a later stage.

Similarities with KHiB
Richard Launder sees similarities between the ongoing process of mergering the two art departments at KHiB and Newcastle.

- With KHiB's new department structure, the exchange with Newcastle is of particular relevance, he acknowledges. The Fine Art Dept at Newcastle has organised itself in a similar manner as we are planning the new deptartment at KHiB.

Launder points out that it is especially relevant for his own field of clay and ceramics, as it is arranged as one of the many skill and knowledge areas within the Fine Art umbrella. It will be located within the sculpture area.

Bergen and Newcastle
Also, Newcastle has other parrallels with Bergen, says Launder.

- It is a peripheral city, it has an expanding contemporary art scene: The Baltic Art Centre, and is also closely involved in the maritime sector. Newcastle has also connections to Norway through cultural and trade history.

Photo: Neil Thompson. With kind permission. Picture borrowed from flickr.