As we prepare for when we can once again reopen the Whitworth, we want to reimagine a whole floor of the gallery as a new, civic – School of Creativity

An experimental, shared workspace to celebrate all forms of creativity and to test out new ideas. A space to learn together, through play, making and doing.

The ambition of the space is to reimagine how we work with communities, schools, artists and other partners to build strong, meaningful and lasting relationships. By addressing what matters to our local friends and partners, here and now, and using creativity and artistic thinking to problem solve together and make positive change in our communities.

School of Creativity has to work beyond simply acting as a workshop space. It’s scale, visibility and reach, will allow it to act as a hub and support network to advocate for the civic role of creativity and its application in the world. As a pivotal and transformational way to teach and a way to learn. 

The space and its thinking will be fundamental to how the Whitworth connects with our partners in the world of education, addressing the current crisis facing our schools and colleges. To work collaboratively with teachers and young people, to forge a path through these challenging times. Not to just weather the storm, but emerge with new, stronger, more collaborative and inclusive ways of working together.  

This work is not just isolated to the Whitworth and our closest partners. Working across the city, through the Manchester Cultural Education Partnership, we push for curriculum reform to better utilise and value art, culture and creativity.

Though, as I’ve said, School of Creativity also operates outside of formal education and involves everyone in our local communities, from our sector leading work with Early Years to our strategic partners in Age Friendly Manchester with the city’s older residents. The space will be gifted to these communities to use on their terms, with support from the gallery team to foster new relationships and share ways of working. 

Local artists and creatives will be central to the development of School of Creativity and we want develop new, undiscovered talent from across the city. This will be done through supported residencies in the space that focus on sharing and developing skills of how art, creativity and making can be used to address issues across all parts of the city’s civic agenda, from education and community cohesion to health and housing. 

Lastly, the School of Creativity is not an exhibition. It will never be finished. It is a constantly evolving space, reacting to the needs of its users. A space to celebrate process and collaboration, but most importantly, it’s a space to be used. 

If you want to hear more or want to get involved or you know someone who would, please do get in touch.

Ed Watts, Head of Civic Engagement and Education

ed.watts@manchester.ac.uk