Cuts in arts funding and absence of arts subjects within proposed changes to the UK secondary school curriculum have recently been a topic of intense debate.

In this time of economic crisis and austerity the question is: what is the value of art? A new free exhibition, Fieldworks, at Gallery II, University of Bradford, explores this question through artistic research.

The exhibition is created by Andy Abbott and Caroline Hick, Fellows in Art at the University.

Caroline commissioned work across departments responding to ideas around conflict transformation. Her work with the nearby Canterbury Estate found form in the Canterbury Tales project which includes carnival, permaculture and round-table discussion. She has also worked with men and women with dementia on an exhibition project that uses art to mediate change.

Andy’s interests have been in mapping and contextualising the rich legacy of Bradford’s Do-it-Yourself, not-for-profit and grassroots music culture, which he thinks is fundamental to the identity of the city.

This has resulted in a programme of themed music events and interventions; the Bradford Threadfest festival; articles and illustrations; a residency in Istanbul; and the radio programme The Mirrored Hammer.

  • Fieldworks: Research and Experiments within Art and Culture, runs from June 17 to July 19.