During October CHEAD took part in an exchange with ANdAE visiting regional schools in Tourcoing and Dunkerque then spending two days in Paris workshopping ideas for ongoing collaborations with our French Partners. The theme of the trip was 'Intention' and this was funded by the British Council's GREAT Campaign.
12 UK participants, from CHEAD's member institutions, met with 12 French leaders of Art and Design Schools and cultural organisations.
The group was made up of artist teachers, technicians, and researchers representing regional universities in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Manchester, Staffordshire and London. The intent was to learn about the French education system, collaborative funding opportunities and how the Ministry of Culture supports an ecosystem of artist residencies.
Day one was spent at ESA Tourcoing, a school in Northern France, where we learnt about a joint programme with the Margate School leading to a joint degree taught in English and French. The Degree is three years long and covers themes of Art in society and nature.
Day two we travelled to Dunkerque and visited ESA Dunkerque and the national gallery Grand Frac based in a former shipyard.
Days three and four we met in Paris and heard from Fondation France, British Council, Institute Francais and the Ministry of Culture. Opportunities we explored included the Fluxus and Magnetique artist residency programmes, Springboard and COIL. Our intent is to establish a Teacher's Residency programme to lay a solid foundation of UK-France partnerships.
The CHEAD ANdAE partnership also visited Le Fresnoy, Cite Des Isles - an area of Paris hosting 300 international artist residencies, Art Basel in the Grand Palais and attended a special reception at the British Ambassador's residence.
The outcomes of the programme will be evaluated by The Audience Agency and published in a report in Spring 2026.
