Midlands Art Papers 7 (2024)

Midlands Art Papers is a collaborative online journal, working between the University of Birmingham and 13 partner institutions to research and explore the world class works of art and design in public collections across the Midlands.

  • Installation view with seating and ceiling embroidery

    Introduction: Co-production in regional collections

    Midlands Art Papers special issue editors Sophie Hatchwell and Gregory Salter introduce this seventh issue of MAP and discuss the many ways co-production can benefit museum and gallery spaces.

    Introduction
  • Entrance to the Leicester Stories Gallery

    Co-producing the Leicester Stories Gallery

    In 2021 the Leicester Stories gallery opened in Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. In this Q&A, Community Co-Producer Angela Robinson tells us about the use of co-production when curating this gallery space.

    Angela Robinson Q&A
  • Discussion in a gallery space

    Co-production at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

    In this Q&A, the Cultural Director of CV Life, Head of Learning and Engagement, and Head of Exhibitions and Events at the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery discuss how co-production practices have been used to continue the legacy of Coventry City of Culture 2021.

    Q&A
  • Installation view  with paintings and artefacts

    Co-producing Pickford's House, Derby

    Derby Museums are currently re-hanging Pickford’s House, the Georgian home of the Enlightenment architect Joseph Pickford. In this Q&A their Senior Curator of Art and their Head of Interpretation and Display discuss how this project has been inspired by a previous co-production venture at the Joseph Wright of Derby Gallery, Derby Museum.

    Curation Q&A
  • The blue bothy shed by the canal, surrounded by plants and grafitti

    Grand Union's Placemaking Strategies

    Unveiling the Community Bonds of Small Arts Organisations

    In this paper Jack Tsai examines the role of Small Arts Organisations (SAOs) in cultivating a community in the Birmingham district of Digbeth. Focusing on the SAO Grand Union and their campaign the Growing Project, he considers the value of such projects in combatting social issues within the city such as homelessness and food poverty.

    Grand Union