Frieze Education 2017

Frieze's education programme works with students, teachers and institutions to widen engagement and support careers in the arts. This year, frieze magazine, The Showroom, Whitechapel Gallery and professional art educators led workshops with sixth-form students from state schools across London. Frieze Masters also hosted its first-ever education workshop in collaboration with ARTiculation; and Frieze London welcomed a record number of school groups to explore the fair.

Workshops
This new annual Frieze Projects initiative is open to 16 to 18-year-olds from diverse socio–economic backgrounds. In 2017, Islington College, Stoke Newington Sixth Form, New City College and Chobham Academy nominated 20 students to take part in the programme aimed at opening up careers in the arts.

From ‘thinking', 'speaking' and 'writing' about art to ‘working in art’, the workshops brought students into collaboration with arts educators and key experts from the art world. Find out more here.

School Groups at Frieze London
Led by artist educators, Katriona Beales, Nicole Morris and Helen Rousseau, Frieze London welcomed a record number of school groups to the fair, as part of the fair's expanded Young People's Programme.

The tours took the Frieze Projects programme as a point of departure, offering 15 schools the chance to see the fair for the first time. Exploring ideals of social engagement and community inspired by this year’s Projects, the groups had the opportunity to speak to international artists such as Marc Bauer and Lucy + Jorge Orta about their artworks. 

ARTiculation at Frieze Masters
For the first time in 2017, Frieze Masters hosted a workshop as part of the Frieze Education programme. Alumni from ARTiculation, a national and international public speaking initiative, learn the key points of writing an art review from frieze magazine deputy editor, Amy Sherlock.

Participants, who were aged between 14 and 19 years, were then able to explore the fair before writing three short passages to be entered into a competition. The winner will be enrolled on the Frieze Academy writing course, 'How to Write about Art', led by frieze Editorial Director Jennifer Higgie. Find out more here.

What the Students Said
100% of participating students would recommend the programme to their peers. Many commented on the value of the workshops in developing their language, confidence and knowledge so that they can now seriously consider a future in the arts.

Kat reminded me when I’m in certain environments… or art galleries, it’s important to remember I have every right to be here and my background isn’t making me any less relevant or important -student Pollobi Ferdousi on 'Speaking About Art' with artist educator Katriona Beales.

Before the programme we weren’t confident in talking about art... I think it has developed our skills in interpretation. -student Iman Abbas

What's Next
Frieze Education aims to build long-term connections between young people and arts professionals, with students gaining access to a network of opportunities at Frieze. After the workshops end, depending on their interests students have the opportunity to meet key mentors in the worlds of art, architecture and design.

Details of the 2018 Frieze Education programme will be announced soon.