CALDEWGATE 1.33

Since 1991, Caldewgate has been home to the Fine Art department of University of Cumbria (formerly Cumbria Institute of the Arts). This year, the Fine Art department will relocate to join other Arts courses at the University’s Brampton Road campus.

The building has come to signify openness, diversity, experimentation and creativity to those learning and working within its walls, allowing for a close-knit community ethos to develop between students and staff alike. The interdisciplinary structure and open teaching model across cohorts encourages ideas and process-led experimentation; artists thinking, making, doing, speaking, challenging, working and supporting one another. The staff team, as active practitioners, are integral to the strength of the course and promote a professional practice as the norm for everyone working within the building; artists working alongside other artists. As such, Caldewgate represents a safe environment where creativity is supported through making, dialogue and critical thinking; this is surely an ethos to be protected and celebrated.