Manchester School of Art partners Home

MANCHESTER School of Art has strenghtened its team of industry experts with the appointment Sarah Perks, former Artistic Director of Cornerhouse, and current boss of Visual Arts at Home.

 A graduate of the school, Sarah becomes Professor of Visual Arts.

Home, Manchester’s new purpose-built centre for contemporary visual art, film and theatre, is formed from the merger of two of Manchester’s best-loved cultural organisations, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company. The £25 million building will open to the public in spring 2015.  

Exciting collaboration

The School will also be taking on a new Professor of Film, who will hold the position of Artistic Director: Film at Home.

The newly created position will allow Home’s senior curatorial staff to bring their expertise to Manchester School of Art through keynote lectures and the hosting of doctoral research studentships. Students will further benefit from a programme of volunteering opportunities.

Sarah Perks said: “As a graduate of and former guest lecturer at MMU, I’m delighted to be awarded this professorship that reaffirms Home’s importance as a site of academic research.

“Academia strongly influences my practice as a curator across exhibitions, new commissions, artist film production and publications. This is the start of an exciting collaboration and will push boundaries in contemporary visual art practice and curation.”

Valuable opportunities

Professor David Crow, Dean of the Manchester School of Art, said: “Through this exciting partnership we will support the artistic reach of our neighbouring Home and provide students of Manchester School of Art with valuable opportunities to enjoy and gain an in-depth insight into Home’s visual arts and film programme.

“The placement, volunteering and studentship opportunities that this partnership creates will improve our students’ understanding and practice of visual arts and film as well as their future employability.”