enquire about
learning in galleries

  

The enquire consortium

The enquire programme is being carried out through clusters of galleries and higher education institutes which constitute the national research consortium. 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 was enlarged to comprise these three clusters and four new clusters - in the South West, the East and two in the North West. In phase 2.2 (2007/8) the consortium has increased to nine clusters.

enquire involves new working partnerships between the galleries and HEIs, each bringing to the programme considerable experience and expertise. These peer groups have worked together and with partner artists and teachers to develop the research focus for their cluster, the programme of projects to be investigated and the methodology to be employed.

The programme offers the opportunity for extensive training and professional development for gallery educators, teachers, artist educators and HEI researchers. CPD is happening in an informal but very effective way through collaboration between the different professional participants, and through formal training in organized courses and seminars. Practice and research methods and the research findings are also shared throughout with the wider gallery sector through engage events and publications.

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