Spiral Staircase
Joanne Davies
Schools and Colleges Manager, Manchester City Galleries
Job overview
I have been working at Manchester City Galleries for four years within the schools and colleges team. My main duties include, devising activities for 3-19 year olds, delivering teacher training courses, managing a team of 20 freelance artist/educators and leading projects to develop and extend our programme.
Our service is built on cross-curricular approaches that embrace a variety of learning styles and abilities. This allows us to deliver vibrant, innovative experiences that meet the needs of pupils, teachers and the national curriculum.
Biography
My interest in working in museums and galleries began whilst completing my PGCE in Secondary Art and Design Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. I received an enrichment placement in Amsterdam, working with the Van Gogh Museum. This time of research and reflection developed my understanding of the unique learning environment museums and galleries can offer.
I took this experience into my teaching, working as an Art Teacher in Salford, taking young people to the different venues across the North West. Knowing my passion was in teaching outside of the classroom, I decided to develop my knowledge of the art world and undertake a MA in Art History at the University of Manchester, where I completed a dissertation on Performance Art.
I then gained my position at Manchester City Galleries, where I am continually learning and applying new methods of engagement and interpretation. I have also recently completed a City and Guilds Photography Course, which has allowed me to reconnect with my own art practice and begin to capture the world around me through the cameras eye.
Motivation and Aims for undertaking the PDP
The PDP has come at a pivotal point in my career as I have just returned to my original position within the Gallery after covering my manager's maternity leave. I am in a period of transition, starting and sustaining projects and partnerships and considering how I can develop and evolve within the team.
I am hoping the programme will help frame this time of personal and professional progression to ensure I am able to deliver my responsibilities to the organisation as effectively as possible and help me to explore and fulfil my longer term career aspirations.
I have decided to base the programme on a work based research project around the Gallery's special exhibition for the autumn, Angels of Anarchy: Woman Artists and Surrealism. Working with this exhibition will be a new experience, as I have never explored this genre with young people before.
I will be developing a programme of activities including a workshop, teacher's course and an artist in schools project that will showcase young peoples responses in the exhibition's Resource Room.
Contact: j.davies5@manchester.gov.uk