Each session in this online short course involves talks from artists and curators, contributions from Tate staff working on projects across the institution, critical discussions around pedagogy and ecology, and a variety of workshop activities via Zoom. The group also considers the wider social and political issues shaping contemporary arts practices and pedagogical approaches.
This online course references the work of artists, curators, researchers, and educators which explores the role of ecological methods in arts and learning. Providing practical examples that lead up to developing your own educational activity in collaboration with other course participants.
The course is led and facilitated by Jennifer Shearman, Curator of Public Programmes at Tate London. It is organised in collaboration with the Centre for Arts and Learning at Goldsmiths, University of London. Working alongside MA students and Tate staff, participants will be encouraged to bring their thoughts, ideas, and experiences to the discussions within a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
No prior knowledge of arts learning and museum studies is required but interest in these areas is welcome.
24 January: Introduction to Ecologies
In this opening session, the group will discuss definitions and understandings of the term ecology. We will consider how ecological conversations relate to pedagogical theories and curatorial practices.
This session will be joined by Michael Smythe.
31 January: Ecologies, Land, and Belonging
The second session explores how First Nations and Indigenous artists and practitioners use ecological knowledge in their practices. We will also look at the intersection of environmentalism and indigenous rights.
This session will be joined by Heather Bruegl.
7 February: Ecofeminism
This session will look at the way practitioners are using feminist or ecofeminist approaches to respond to environmental injustice and climate change. This session will be joined by Independent Curator Giulia Casalini.
This session will be joined by Giulia Casalini and Amanda Piña.
14 February: Diasporic Ecologies
During the final taught session, we will look at ecologies through the lens of the diaspora. We will explore how the movement of ecological knowledge can help us conceptualise our understanding of ecology. We will also look at how knowledge of earth and land is disseminated through human movement and migration.
This session will be joined by Jenn Steverson.
28 February: Practical Session
This final session offers the group an opportunity to share our collective learning by presenting a short pedagogical activity inspired by the content from earlier sessions. Participants who wish to present will be placed into presentation groups at the beginning of the course.
This course is organised in collaboration with the Centre for Arts and Learning at Goldsmiths, University of London.