Supported by the Bolton School of the Arts and the British Council, The Venice Fellowships programme offers students the opportunity to spend a month in Italy, Venice at one of the world’s largest art exhibitions, La Biennale di Venezia. The Biennale has displayed artwork from critically acclaimed artists including Picasso and James Abbott McNeill Whistler.
Within the Biennale is the British Pavillion, a converted exhibition space that features work from UK’s contemporary artists, architects, designers and curators. This year, the theme is Freespace; ‘the freedom to imagine, the free space of time and memory’*. The 2018 creation is Island.
Fellows share their time evaluating the British Pavilion exhibition and doing independent research that is guided by the focus of the Biennale and the exhibition but can also be inspired by university interests and course links.
Charlotte Robinson and Vickki Jones will also receive training on exhibition invigilation and access, gaining experience of exhibition stewarding and condition checking of artwork, as well as networking with creative peers across the UK and the international art world, opening doors to graduate prospects.
On what inspired Vikki’s project: “My ideas surrounding ‘Freespace’ involve my interest in urban exploration; exploring the seen but more importantly the unseen and the forgotten. On an island so busy I want to find the spaces forgotten whether outside or inside”.
Charlotte confessed; “I’m shocked that I have been given this opportunity to be accepted onto the Venice Biennale Fellowship. Venice is a beautiful place with so much culture surrounding the island. I feel honoured to be representing the University of Bolton and putting Bolton on the map!”
Head of Bolton School of the Arts, Sam Johnson adds, “What an amazing way to learn about the business – surrounded by some of the most talented professionals in the field! It is fantastic that Charlotte and Vickki will be the first University of Bolton ambassadors at this event. The Fellowship scheme offers participants great professional development opportunities which can be life-changing. I am so proud of them and can’t wait to hear how the British Council Fellowship colours their aspirations for the future”.