Contemporary Art in the Heritage Experience Conference 29 & 30 July 2019

This two day international conference at Newcastle University was a key output of the ‘Mapping Contemporary Art in the Heritage Experience’ research project. It provided a platform to discuss the broader character of contemporary art in heritage and the impact of such projects on their producers and audiences, sharing knowledge across the arts and heritage sector for those engaged in or wishing to develop this area of practice. The conference was focused on the key themes of Creation and Encounters. The programme featured over 40 presentations from artists, curators, heritage organisations and academic researchers who submitted papers through our Open Call, alongside panel discussions and keynote presentations from leading practitioners within the field. It also included an opportunity to visit our research exhibition ‘Out of Place’ at Newcastle’s Hatton Gallery and a new MCAHE commission by Marcus Coates for National Trust Cherryburn. A post-conference networking breakfast and workshop was held on 31 July to explore further ideas and themes emerging from the main conference.

Read highlights from our Twitter Conference feed.

Contemporary Art in the Heritage Experience Conference Programme 2019

‌Keynotes and Expert Panellists

We were delighted to have the involvement of two distinguished keynote speakers in our conference programme, John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Culture and Engagement at the National Trust, and Jenny Waldman CBE, Director of 14-18 NOW, as well as expert panellists, including: Sandy Nairne CBE FSA; Matt Thompson, Head of Collections Curator, English Heritage; Grace Davies, Contemporary Art Programme Manager, National Trust; Tim Eastop, Executive Producer, Arts on the Waterways, Canal & River Trust. The Panel sessions were facilitated by Tessa Jackson OBE. 

Watch our first Keynote from John Orna-Ornstein here:

As a counterpoint to the main conference proceedings we also commissioned, 'Prospects' a new dance piece from choreographer Martin Hylton. This was inspired by the work of Dr Martin Luther King who received an honorary Degree from Newcastle University in the Kings Hall in 1967. The piece referenced questions asked of Dr King in his last interview for the NBC channel USA, 11 months before his assassination. The piece concludes with three young men contemplating their place in the world as the struggle continues. 'Prospects' dancers were: Andrea Masala, Patrick Ziza, Igor Tavares, Marcio Inacio.