Manchester School of Art meet-up
This session marked our first meeting connecting students at Goldsmiths and Kingston with students at Manchester School of Art, who joined APR in 2021 after developing a relationship with colleagues at Goldsmiths through The Intersectional Hydra project. After initial introductions online and in-person, workshops were staged simultaneously at the three schools, which aimed to discuss how we can work together inter-institutionally over the coming months with goals of art, learning and anti-racism in mind.
During the session each institution contributed collaboratively to an online resource page which gathered student’s testimonies, conversations and ideas for change they want to see within arts education. Collectively, we imagined what kind of space we want to create for APR as we branch out into new locations.
“Should these conversations be ‘opt in’ or ‘opt out’? Decisions are made for people of colour all the time.”
Student, Kingston University
“Attempts to support international students [are] done the wrong way and without consultation with the students themselves – [it] becomes more isolating, problematic and lumps together students purely because they are from a different country.”
Student, Goldsmiths
“I feel like I am floating about in the art community like I’m not really included.”
Student, Manchester School of Art
“‘White spaces’ – speaking more broadly of institutional space – claim communality but don’t necessarily know how to hold it – lack of softness and tactility.”
Student, Goldsmiths
“This gives us representation and to relate to people similar to us, this then allows others who want an art career to join our course.”
Student, Manchester School of Art
“The university is doing what it’s supposed to do… my fear is there is a very small group of us [here at APR] in a very large pond.”
Student, Kingston University
