The Jurassic Coast Creative Coast Group and Exeter University are pleased to announce the successful candidate for the first PhD studentship in our collaborative AHRC funded research project.
The field of potential candidates was of exceptionally high quality, and following interviews and much deliberation we have invited local arts practitioner Jon Croose to take up the research.
Jon has had a break from academia over the last seven years, during which time he has been putting much of what he learned in his MA, previous study and career in journalism into practice through his community driven professional theatre practice.
Jon will be undertaking a studentship on the Art of Carnival: Communities, Culture and Place’ (2010-2013) working alongside artists and communities to follow the planned 2012 Cultural Olympiad Carnival in Weymouth.
“There is a vibrant carnival culture in the Jurassic Coast area and the 2012 celebrations offer communities an exciting chance to showcase their talents on a world stage. The studentship is a fantastic opportunity and I am really looking forward to getting started and meeting carnival groups across East Devon and Dorset,” said Jon.
Starting in October 2010, this is the first of three studentships looking at how the adoption of a contemporary arts programme by the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site has helped engage communities and visitors with understanding the changing coastline.
The second and third studentships in this extended project are:
‘Stone Exposures: Photography, Landscape Change and Anticipatory Adaptation’ (2011-2014) and ‘Dynamic Arts Practices and the Geographies of World Heritage’ (2012-2015).
On the subject of Carnival along the Jurassic Coast we would also like to welcome the new Carnival/Processions Coordinator, Amy Eastwood hosted by Activate Performing Arts, the theatre and dance development agency for Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.
Amy’s remit is to lead and manage the development process for processional work in the sub-region, with a particular focus on 2012 in Weymouth and its legacy. Amy will be working closely with communities along the Jurassic coast supporting them in developing ideas for processional work, raising the profile and value of processional work, advocating for walking processions and working with partners across the sub-region to develop a more strategic approach to carnivals in the sub-region.
‘I’m very excited about this role’ said Amy, ‘there is so much good work already taking place and I’m really looking forward to working with communities along the Jurassic Coast and beyond to build on the strong traditions that exist. It’s an exciting time to be joining with the Olympics not far away and so many opportunities for outdoor arts across the sub-region.’
Amy can be contacted at Activate Performing Arts on 01202 886304 or by email [email protected]
Daisy Sutcliffe , Jurassic Coast Arts Coordinator
