Creative arts week is launched by Arts Council Chief Executive

A week of exhibitions and shows to celebrate the work of creative arts students at Teesside University has been opened to much acclaim by the Chief Executive of Arts Council England.

Alan Davey said he was honoured to open Creative Teesside and added: 'Art is about finding new ways to look at the world, challenging old perceptions and ideas. It gives insights into what it is to be human.'

Alan, who is originally from Stockton, encouraged the students completing degrees in Design, English, Fine Art, History, Media and Performing Arts to: 'Continue to make the world a more marvellous and beautiful place.”

Professor Gerda Roper, Dean of the School of Arts & Media, said: 'This annual week of exhibitions celebrates the talent and success of the creative arts at Teesside University, the wonderful creativeness of our students and the talent of the teaching staff. It is fantastic that the Chief Executive of the Arts Council can view the talent that has been born here in his home region and offer such encouragement to students embarking on a career in the arts.'

Events and exhibitions continue throughout the week and the full programme of events includes:

Media - the TV and Media Production Degree Show is the University’s annual showcase of student films, which are the culmination of three years of study by graduating students. The media gala screening is at Cineworld, Middlesbrough, from 5.00pm to 8.00pm on Tuesday 21 May.

Holocaust survivor Iby Knill, whose story is told in a documentary made by graduating student Robin Pepper, has been invited to officially open the gala screening

Design and Fine Art - the 2013 Art & Design degree show combines work from all creative specialisms, including fine art, graphic design, illustration, multimedia and motion graphics, product design, furniture, interior architecture and interior design. The exhibition can be seen in the University’s Athena, Constantine and Cook Buildings, 9.00am to 5.00pm from Monday 20 May to Friday 24 May.

English – the annual Cabaret of the Spoken Word event showcases live work by students from the English Studies and Creative Writing degrees. It takes place in Blu, Albert Road, Middlesbrough, 7.00pm to 11.00pm on Wednesday 22 May.

History – the University’s History section is showcasing a number of final year dissertation projects and student work using a video installation to provide a flavour of the breadth of research undertaken by undergraduates in the history department. The Images of History exhibition can be seen in the Constantine Gallery, Middlesbrough Tower, 9.00am to 5.00pm, from Monday 20 May to Friday 24 May.

Performing Arts - students from the University’s two Performing Arts programmes, BA (Hons) Dance and BA (Hons) Performance for Live and Recorded Media, present end of year shows in the University’s dance studio, Mercuria Building, from 5.00pm to 6.00pm on Thursday 23 May.

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