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Who's Afraid of Contemporary Art?

Writer's picture: Alison McIntyreAlison McIntyre

Updated: Jan 6

Who's Afraid of Contemporary Art? was a long term project, funded and supported by Leeds Inspired, Leeds Art Gallery and East Street Arts, where we worked with community groups in Leeds to explore what contemporary art meant to them, what barriers they might experience in engaging with it, and to develop ideas for a Toolkit for Gallery Visits. We worked with:

  • Heydays older people’s group at the Leeds Playhouse

  • 105Women an intergenerational Leeds-based collective run with women asylum seekers

  • Leeds Art Gallery’s Meet and Make, Art Chat, and Youth Collective groups



We also took over Leeds Art Gallery, offering prescriptions, slipper-making to feel more at home in the gallery, soundtracks for specific rooms, art chats, and a chance to participate in a final parade/dance spectacular.



The project culminated in an exhibition and activities at Leeds Kirkgate Market in April 2019, showcasing the work and ideas from the participants with photography, film and print, and selling the Toolkit for Gallery Visits. We also facilitated activities such as art power capes, art specs, and still life drawing from other market stalls' produce.




The Toolkit for Gallery Visits contains a number of different cards that you can take with you on your next visit to an art gallery. They contain top tips that might make it more fun, and maybe just a little bit less scary…

  • Question Card: Start conversations with other people or in your own head.

  • Action Card: Think about your visit, or the artwork you see, a bit differently.

  • Activity Card: Use before, during or after your visit to help you become an artist too.


We also have a few printed copies of the toolkit, which contains printed cards in a handy cardboard case, available for £10 each. If you would like one, please get in touch and we’ll arrange to get one sent out to you.

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