Jade French is a researcher, curator and facilitator based in Liverpool, UK
Dr Jade French is a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds . Jade has worked extensively alongside community groups, namely learning disabled people, to explore the intersection of contemporary art and social change, with a focus on issues of intellectual access and inclusion within museums and galleries. Her research currently explores inclusive and accessible curating and its role in initiating broader conversations around democracy and diversity in cultural spaces.
RESEARCH ON INCLUSIVE CURATING
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Art as Advocacy explores the potential for curatorial practice by learning disabled artists to act as a site for self-advocacy. Via a practice-led research approach, it brought together members of self-advocacy group Halton Speak Out and members of Bluecoat's inclusive arts project Blue Room, to curate a visual arts exhibition titled Auto Agents. These curators developed an exhibition theme, collaborated with artists, commissioned new artwork and designed accessible interpretation for audiences. This attention to the curatorial process resulted in curating not only becoming more usable by more people, but also more transparent and rigorous. By achieving this, this research delineates to understanding the processes and practices by which our cultural spaces can be democratised READ MORE
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ASSOCIATE ARTIST AT THE TURNPIKE
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In March 2018 Jade was appointed as an Associate Artist at The Turnpike, a new, independent arts organisation. Since January 2017, it has occupied the first floor of an iconic 1970s brutalist building in the centre of Leigh, Greater Manchester. Jade will be working with The Turnpike to develop opportunities for local disabled residents, as well as working with artists to develop an inclusive and accessible gallery space. Image of The Turnpike |
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INTERNATIONAL CURATOR'S RESIDENCY 2018
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In 2018 Jade was awarded the International Curator's Residency at Dublin's Firestation Artists' Studio in Ireland. During her residency Jade will be meeting with local artists and curators, exploring inclusive studio models for disabled artists with Arts Disability Ireland, as well as sharing her own work on inclusive curating alongside learning disabled artists READ MORE Image Firestation Artists' Studio building, Dublin |