Nick Cass
My research is a critical examination of the ways in which artists engage with museum collections and heritage sites. I ask questions about what impact creative practice can have on the opportunities and challenges that museums and galleries face today.
As an artist and printmaker, I have been fascinated for a long time by ornamental design prints of the sixteenth and seventeenth century intended as design material for artists and sculptors. I am developing new work in response to these sources as part of my wider research into how creative practice engages with historic collections.
Lived Experience
My main interests today have developed from being an artist and also working in museums, galleries and heritage sites. While working for Leeds Museums and the Royal Armouries in education related roles, I began to understand more clearly the connections that existed between artists and historic sites and collections.
Inspired by this developing interest I embarked on a PhD (2010-2015) to examine this relationship more closely. My thesis focused on the Contemporary Arts Programme at the Bronte Parsonage Museum and I have continued to research and write about this area of practice.
Qualifications and training
2015 - PhD Museum Studies
2006 - MA - Contemporary Fine Art Practice, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds
1995 - PGCE - Primary Education, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham
1990 - Fine Art - Sculpture, Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic, Newcastle upon Tyne
Curated Exhibitions
2014 - Artists of Faith, Brontë Parsonage Museum, Howarth
2013 - Wildness Between Lines, Leeds Arts University, Leeds
2013 - Visions of Angria, Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, University of Leeds
Solo exhibitions
2009 - Flatworks, South Square Gallery, Thornton, Bradford
1998 - Museum, Salford University, Salford
Group exhibitions
2010 - Badigloolust, Royal Standard, Liverpool
2010 - Melange, Leeds Met Gallery, Harvey Nichols, Leeds
2010 - On Your Wall, Leeds Met Gallery, Leeds
2009 - Salon (Doppelgänger), Torhaus Gallery, Dortmund
2008 - 195 Miles, PSL (Project Space Leeds), Leeds
2008 - On Your Wall, Leeds Met Gallery, Leeds
2008 - Salon 2008, East Street Arts, Leeds
2008 - Separations, Spacia Arts, Leeds
2005 - Artists Show, Leeds City Art Gallery, Leeds
2005 - From the Ordinary, Leeds Met Gallery, Leeds
1990 - New Art North West, Cornerhouse, Manchester
1989 - New Contemporaries, ICA, London and national tour
Live/Performance
2010 - ' Drawing Shed' for PSL at No Soul for Sale, Tate Modern, London
Public commissions
2011 - Junction, Leeds Met Gallery & The Culture Company, Leeds
Projects
2017-2019 Mapping Contemporary Art in the Heritage Experience - AHRC research project in collaboration with Newcastle University, Arts&Heritage, National Trust, English Heritage.
2006 - Into the Garden - sculpture project for adults with mental health difficulties, Temple Newsam House, Leeds
2005 - Adventures in Three Dimensions - sculpture project for adults with mental health difficulties., City Art Gallery, Leeds
2005 - Castle Building, Wakefield MDC Cultural Services, Pontefract Castle
2005 - Testbed 3, Leeds Met Gallery, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Competitions, prizes and awards
2009 - New work/professional development funding, Arts Council, Yorkshire
1997 - Funding award for curatorial project '3rd Person', Manchester City Council
1997 - Funding award for curatorial project '3rd Person', North West Arts Board, Manchester
Educational experience - tertiary
2019 - Associate Professor, University of Leeds
2016 - Lecturer, University of Leeds
2010 - Research Associate, University of Leeds
2005 - Lecturer/Year Tutor, BA Visual Communication, Leeds College of Art, Leeds
2004 - Associate Lecturer, Leeds College of Art and Design, Leeds