Irene Brown, Head of Fine Art
We have been busy over the summer months making preparations for your return and we are very much looking forward to having you all here, working in the studios and workshops, seminar rooms and lecture theatre and teaching face-to-face – long may it last.
The best way to ensure that we can continue to come in and work together is to follow the Fine Art Covid safety systems that we have in place (please see the FINE ART COVID RULES poster).
Although physical distancing restrictions in University buildings have been lifted and our building occupancy levels have returned to normal, guidance does however remain the same for wearing a face covering while you are moving around the building, in any group teaching sessions and when not sitting at your desk and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter where possible. Cleaning and hygiene stations remain in place. We are also asking staff and students to conduct twice-weekly lateral flow tests. It is extremely important for everyone’s safety – students, academic staff, technicians, secretaries, cleaners, visitors – everyone – that we do this. If we cannot, the outcome may include loss of access and, of course, there can be much more serious consequences.
We have once again carefully configured the studios with years 1 & 2 and Years 3 & 4 sharing rooms. This is so if the government reintroduces restrictions (God forbid!) we can easily switch to our 50% occupancy timetable with the least amount of disruption. We continue to have out of hours working until 9pm weekdays and weekend working 8am-6pm from Monday 27th September. You need to download the SAFE ZONE app www.safezoneapp.com , abide by the OUT OF HOURS ACCESS REGULATIONS and sign the sheet that you will find at the Fine Art Reception. Whilst we start the academic year with normal studio access we need to be aware that this may be revised in accordance with University and/or Government policy and restrictions. You will be advised of any changes to arrangements as they arise and we will continue to be as open and transparent as possible about any changes to arrangements and consult with you on workable solutions and adjustments to programme delivery. I know there are a lot of emails these days but it really is the only way we can contact you directly to let you know of any changes or opportunities that arise. Therefore please check you emails regularly – every day.
We all need to continue to work together to bringing the department back to life! We are relying on you and your enthusiasm, energy and ideas to rebuild the vibrant community of the department – the café, exhibitions and extra-curricular events that make Newcastle University Fine Art such a unique and extraordinary place to work and study. Remember -there is the ‘Bartlett Offsite’ fund for groups of students to organise events/exhibitions outside of the university (contact Nick Fox about this) and there are also funds for the ‘Jane Doe’ Curatorial team to organise events in the ExLibris Gallery (contact Irene Brown about this). Contact Burnie if you want to book the Long Gallery, Tic Space or Life Room. We also have a new bookable space in the basement of Windsor Terrace – contact Irene for information and availability on this.
We also have the cross year specialist forums in Painting+ (Christian Mieves), Print (Erika Servin), Drawing (Tracey Tofield), Sculpture and Installation (Catrin Huber and Wolfgang Weileder), and Film and Performance (Giles Bailey and Henry Coombs). Staff will introduce these initially but we really want you to run with them and make them your own. There are funds available for you to organise your own events/exhibitions around these specialist themes – contact Irene and pitch your ideas.
So, let’s get cracking and make the absolute most of being back in the department together!
Irene Brown
Head of Fine Art