ENGAGEMENT
Katy McCall Medway: Learning Manager: Family, Manchester Art Gallery –
“I have worked with interference-art for over a decade. I am always astounded by the fresh energy and focused attention they bring to every project, continually pushing their practice and never settling for ‘that will do’. Whatever they are working on be it a family workshop or long term project with a targeted group they always bring a rigorous intellectual approach, thoroughly exploring available options and problem solving creatively.
For me their most valuable skill is their ability to connect anyone – and I genuinely mean anyone – with art and creative concepts. They never give up and will tweak and adapt their sessions to ensure everyone is included, inspired and engaged.”
Fergal McCullough: Director, The Men’s Room, Manchester –
“interference-art have led 2 joint projects with The Men’s Room this year in very challenging homeless hostel environments with young men with very complex needs. On both projects their work was amazing – they have a natural empathy and ability to engage. interference-art adapted each session to take account of the chaotic nature of participants’ lives, and ensured the contribution of everyone who took part was fully reflected in the final artistic product. Both the process and the product reflected their commitment to participatory, person-centred arts engagement.”
WELLBEING
Louise Thompson: Health and Wellbeing Manager, Manchester Art Gallery –
“We’ve worked with i-a on various health and wellbeing projects at the gallery and can honestly say they are truly a great team to work with. Their wonderful skill of making people feel at ease, encouraging them to open up and talk about art and culture – even when they feel at their lowest confidence is excellent. They always bring a sense of curious joy to every activity. Everyone always wants to get involved. The feedback we gather consistently shows that even the most vulnerable groups have an uplifting and inspiring time in i-a workshops.”
CO-CREATION
Charlotte Lee: Population Health Programme Officer, Public Health Tameside –
“I have been delighted with the passion, experience and project management interference-art has brought over the past 12 months to our commission of a wellbeing and arts resource co-created with children and young people. The ‘voice of the child’ principle has been at the forefront.
The ‘Wellbeing Chest’ which was the final product – co-created with the aim of Tameside schools using it in everyday life and to support the agenda to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities – is nothing short of amazing and I look forward to continuing my work with interference-art.”
CONSULTATION
Sue Widden: Secretary, Friends of Lancaster Judges’ Lodgings Museum –
“The interference-art team captured the spirit of the brief excellently and worked closely with the Friends and volunteers to deliver the project. They encouraged and engaged the public to talk honestly and convey, in a variety of ways, their individual enthusiasm about an exciting future for a much-loved local asset.
Their resulting report has been very influential in persuading the Lancashire County Council that the museum has an important future in the story of Lancaster’s heritage. It has been much used over the past twelve months and is still referred to as the planning for the reopening of the Judges’ Lodgings takes shape.The Friends hope very much that the i-a team will remain supporters, friends and allies as the project continues to develop.”
DESIGN
Dr. Deborah Riding: Programme Manager, Children and Young People, Tate Liverpool –
“Tate Learning have been working with interference-art for a number of years. The resources and interactive gallery environments interference-art have developed and designed – sensitively and creatively with users – have become integral to Tate Liverpool’s approach to engage and co-create with our audience.
With a strong ethos of enquiry and collaboration, Harriet and Maura have been valuable on research projects at the gallery as well as supporting young people and vulnerable participants in accessing and developing their own creative practice.”
EVALUATION
Katy McCall Medway: Learning Manager: Family, Manchester Art Gallery –
“Their passion for evaluation and reflection is admirable, when most of us are ready to fall over in an exhausted heap, interference-art are still buzzing about the art, the participation, the process.”