enquire about
learning in galleries

  

The enquire programme

From 2004 to 2008, the enquire programme was carried out through clusters – or teams - of galleries, partner schools/youth groups and artists, and higher education institutes which constituted the national research consortium. The aim was to work collaboratively across the professions to develop exciting opportunities for children and young people to learn through engagement with contemporary art, whilst researching the learning benefits and conditions for that learning.

The three clusters in phase 1 (2004-6) were in the North East, London and South East.

In phase 2.1 (2006-7) the consortium grew to comprise these three clusters and four new clusters - in the South West (Devon), the East and two in the North West. In phase 2.2 (2007/8) the consortium increased further to ten clusters, with support from the Foyle Foundation.

In phase 3 (2008-9) twelve projects used the enquire research to develop capacity amongst galleries and partner schools, youth groups and artists to deliver learning opportunities for children and young people.

In phase 4, 2009-11, the programme concentrated on investigating how gallery education can address the aims and objectives of local authority Children's Plans. Eleven clusters of galleries and partner artist, schools, youth groups and care homes carried out projects and evaluation.

The programme has offered the opportunity for extensive training and professional development for gallery educators, teachers, artist educators and HEI researchers. Continuous Professional Development has been provided in an informal but very effective way through collaboration between the different professional participants, and through formal training in organised courses and seminars. Practice and research methods and the research findings have also been and continue to be shared throughout with the wider gallery sector through engage events and publications.

The 'cluster' has provided an interesting model, a 'community of critical enquirers' to provide peer support, continuous professional development and advocacy for gallery education.