Oiling the Hinges
9 April 2010, 9.00 am - 10.30 am
2010 is the ‘hinge’ between that of the launching decade of the twenty-first century and the remaining 90 years – a century in which the pace of change will increase exponentially. The kind of student that enters schools like SOTA, and colleges later, is quite different from those we welcomed just 10 years ago – they are the new ‘digital natives’. And they will enter a society in which the fine, performing and design arts are rooted and embedded as never before. Creativity and innovation have a surprising value not previously quantified, while endless originality of expression and performance are a new standard of expectation. How do we recognise the roles which the arts and arts education play – what models do we hold up - what does society and the world-of-work expect – what is the impact on the quality of life? How do we nourish the ‘loner’ artist while encouraging systems of artistic collaboration? What does an arts education do, and what is it for?
In this talk, Dr Tony Jones speculates on the nature of dynamic change in the role of the arts, suggests some examples of best practice, and takes us to Chicago to see an extraordinarily successful artistic, social and economic model – Millennium Park.
About the speaker
Prof Tony Jones
Chancellor
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Professor Tony Jones is an internationally-known arts administrator, broadcaster, educator, exhibition curator, and historian of art, architecture and design. Among numerous awards and distinctions, he was conferred the title Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth in 2003. In addition to authoring numerous books and articles, he has scripted and hosted several television series and radio programs for BBC in the UK. He is widely sought as a consultant and keynote speaker on the role of the arts and education, their cultural and economic impact. He currently holds the position of Chancellor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.