Search Engage

Museums and galleries are for everyone, even if one doesn't have prior knowledge of art and history, yet people find art and cultural spaces intimidating. I understood this because my friend wanted to visit the Leeds Art Gallery; however, she thought it would be less intimidating if I was with her since I'm from an art and humanities background. During our visit, I gave her confidence in how she can interpret the artworks and how to make her art gallery visits more creative and then she realised that all it takes is a calm mind and love for art and Cultural spaces. Therefore, I want to establish this society to form a collective of individuals who love and enjoy spending time in museums and galleries, who are curious about history, heritage, art or simply want to explore the Collections.

Although FAHACS introduced a museum and art gallery community and conducts Artful talks by brilliant professors of FAHACS every Monday, I think most of the students who are in different programmes are missing out on these just because they don't know about these events. So I believe there is an opportunity to create a university-wide museum enthusiast group on a shared cultural experience rather than a specific academic programme.

So, to layout the benefits, members gain a community of like-minded people to share the thoughts and to gain insights on art and collections who are new to them. And this society will help students to discover museums, art galleries and cultural spaces and local cultural organisations; but most importantly, there are local small art and sculpture exhibitions in Leeds, so I want students who love art to explore exhibitions at every level to broaden their horizons in art despite their academic backgrounds. Affordable outings are another benefit since we'll separate those with and without entry fees, and there'll be only a few visits per month to places with entry fees, so the members can just think about their travel costs. Also, the society will inform the members about most of the volunteering activities around Leeds in the art and cultural sectors. In this society, members can expect social activities away from academic pressures, like I have a few ideas, like "Art night" where members can create the worst, funniest or most ridiculous artwork possible or recreate any art and give titles, and the result is to give awards like posting on socials like 'most dramatic '. Most likely to be in a museum. 'Soon to be an artist. Like, society is not expecting the students to have an art background here; every individual just wants to draw something, even if you don't know how to draw. Well, I can't draw, so it's just a relaxing activity. Another activity is a "museum meme challenge" where they can create a meme on an artwork that they saw on a visit and then share the results and vote for the funniest one, and post the winners and things like that can make individuals stand out.

So, these are the ideas that I have in mind, and I hope this society will connect students with their shared curiosity and help them discover their own perspectives to apprieciate the art and cultural spaces.