The Gallery in the Park: Community Engagement Evaluation with Children and Young People

Nicola Harding, Manchester Metropolitan University & Rachel Smith, University of Manchester

Background: the WhitworthThe Whitworth was originally founded in 1989. As part ofthe University of Manchester, The Whitworth is aprominent space for research, collaboration and learning;within the academy and with non-traditional artsaudiences. In July 2015 The Whitworth won the ‘Art FundMuseum of the Year 2015’ prize, as it was judged to havebest demonstrated excellence, innovation andimagination. In particular, The Whitworth displayedinnovation and imagination during the period of closurefor expansion, with pop-up projects all over the city andbeyond maintaining links to our existing audiences andbuilding new ones.

February 2015 marked a new beginning for the WhitworthArt Gallery, with the re-opening of the gallery after amajor expansion by architects MUMA. Prior to theextensive works and extension, the site was scanned bythe architects in 3D. This included a row of London PlaneTrees. Due to its condition, one of the trees needed to befelled, leaving an empty space. When artist Anya Gallacciofirst visited The Whitworth, she noticed the distinguishedabsence of the tree. Using the scans taken by thearchitects, Anya began working on a response to its loss.Anya talked about ‘using the data to produce a sculpturethat is a ghost of the real tree, without being a replica’.

Anya has produced a sculptural installation to stand in theplace the tree once stood. This is due to be installedduring June 2016. The commissioned piece will place theWhitworth in a central position to explore and promotethe synergy between the arts and urban environment.This will be achieved through linking the Whitworth’sinternationally important landscape collection, the newbuilding, surrounding green space, and the Whitworth’senvironmental commitment. The sculpture will takeadvantage of the urban location, to grow the existinggallery in the park for the benefit of the local communitiesthat surround the Whitworth; including some of the mosteconomically deprived communities in the country.

Abstract: REALabThis research has been commissioned by the Whitworth (Manchester) to understand how a new installationin the “gallery in the park” impacts the local community; specifically, how this may communicate and interactwith local understandings of place, community and belonging.In response to the work already undertaken with young people at the Whitworth, and the transient anddeprived urban area surroundings, local children and young people are identified as representatives of thesettled local community.The evaluation uses visual and participatory methodology with three different age groups; primary (8-9yrs),Secondary (12-13yrs), Further education (16+ Years). The creative methods predominantly used are :photovoice, participant ethnography and creative visual data production.

The Gallery in the Park: Whitworth Park

Aim: Research QuestionsThe aim of this research is to understand how the Anya Gallaccio installation in the gallery in thepark impacts the local community; specifically how this may communicate and interact with localunderstandings of place, community and belonging.Considering these aims, we wish to consider five main research questions:1. Do local people have a strong sense of ‘community’?2. Do the young people identify with institutional (e.g. The Whitworth, Arts Council) workingunderstanding of ‘community’?3. Is belonging, spatially or conceptually, instrumental for impact within the local community?4. Do the interventions (The Gallery in the Park and Anya Gallaccio instalation) impact theirunderstanding of, and behaviour within, the spaces in which they exist?5. Do local people feel that statue and/or the gallery in the park belongs?

Contact: Nicola.harding@stu.mmu.ac.uk

@NicolaAHarding

MethodologyThis research will utilise innovative visual research methods that can be broadly understood as ParticipatoryAction Research (PAR). The practical methods underpinning this mix of traditional qualitative methodology withthe newer PAR and cultural animation are: Photo voice, participant ethnography, and visual analysis (see tableabove).By using photo voice methods, participants play a fundamental role in the foundation for analysis. Participantsconduct thematic analysis to consider the findings that are unique to the individual and the findings that maybeshared by the common experience of being a member of the local urban community surrounding the Whitworth.PAR communicates to children and young people that they are important stakeholders , whose opinions andexperiences matter.

References:Brock, K. and McGee, R. (2002) ‘Knowing Poverty: Critical Reflections on Participatory Research and Policy’. London and Sterling: Earthscan Publications Ltd.