ABOUT LIFE, WORK, ART The aim of the project is to help students make the transition from a Fine Art course to a career in the cultural sector. The project takes on board that many students are likely to be self-employed entrepreneurs and freelancers and increasing numbers hope to remain in the region.
	The Regional Practitioner Network   University of Newcastle   University of Sunderland   University of Northumbria   Cleveland College of Art and Design   a-n [the Artists Information Company]   NCSP (Northern Cultural Skills Partnership)   Arts Council England, North East	The project is building relationships between the region’s Art and Design departments, specialist careers services and practitioners. Life, Work, Art is a consortium project led by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

			Key features: new professional development programme fully integrated into existing modules across all stages of the BA and Masters in Fine Art at the University of Newcastle builds on and enhances good teaching practice in Fine Art by integrating professional development into studio teaching through experiential learning project based, supported by a workshop and seminar programme enabling students to gain both experience and the necessary skills to evaluate and build on that experience a student-led conference with a focus on providing appropriate support and guidance to students interested in careers in the cultural sector development of support mechanisms to encourage enterprise with particular emphasis on business start-up establishment of a Regional Practitioner Network supporting professional development within the curriculum and facilitating partnerships between universities and other organisations
	Students at the conference participating in an informal workshop on "networking" led by a practising artist. The conference took place at Baltic, the new centre for contemporary art in Gateshead.