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Sarah Bowden

Research Fellow in Art

I am a collaborative curator with a particular interest in experimental and research-based artistic practices. It’s a great privilege to programme exhibitions and events with and for students and public audiences at UoG and to bring these alive through workshops and discussion.

Biography

Sarah Bowden is a Research Fellow and Director of Hardwick Gallery at the University of Gloucestershire (UoG), which she established in 2014. Hardwick Gallery presents a public programme of curated exhibitions, residencies, and live and online events by local, national and international practitioners, as well as staff research and presentations by community groups and students in the School of Creative Arts.

Sarah’s research examines the role of the gallery and creative practice in public life and discourse. In 2016 she founded We Create arts action group with residents in the locality of Hardwick campus, to develop projects with contemporary artists that connect people and explore the area’s heritage.

Prior to joining UoG, Sarah founded and directed MEANTIME, an artist residency programme and event venue in Cheltenham town centre. Between 2007 and 2014 MEANTIME hosted more than 120 artists’ residencies, providing time and space for free experimentation within a discursive framework.

Sarah is a practitioner, curator and consultant of art in the public realm and has worked closely with universities, local authorities, housing associations, property developers, and arts organisations.

Qualifications

  • PGCAP, University of Gloucestershire, 2020
  • MA Fine Art, University of Gloucestershire, 2009
  • BA (Hons) Fine Art (Sculpture), University of Gloucestershire, 2002

Awards

Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Grant, 2020

Honorary Master of Arts: University of Gloucestershire, 2011

The Cheltenham Bowl: University of Gloucestershire, 2008

Membership of professional bodies

Sarah is Chair of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust CIO, a trustee of Take A Part CIO, and member of Cheltenham’s Culture Board and Public Art Panel.

Teaching & Research

Research

Research interests: Contemporary art, gallery/non-gallery curation, community co-creation, art in the public realm, art in urban development, art in rural development, ethical arts practice, environmental responsibility in arts practice, and contested landscapes.

Publications

More publications from Sarah Bowden can be found in the Research Repository.