Arts Award Welcome at Rufford Craft Centre

We are delighted to be approved as Arts Award Welcome and would be pleased to here from advisors, groups or individuals interested in developing elements of the Arts Award.

Rufford Craft Centre is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Arts Service and comprises a large gallery with a changing programme of exhibitions and accessible education facilities offering a broad programme of workshops.

The Craft Centre is set within the beautiful surroundings of Rufford Abbey Country Park which boasts lakeside walks, woodland and formal gardens featuring more than 20 sculptures. The Apsidal Gallery, within the Orangery, houses the Nottinghamshire County Council Ceramics Collection.

The Offer

Taking Part

We work with artists to programme workshops for groups in a specific craft form, tailored to the needs of the group. Workshops are charged at cost.

Enjoying and appreciating

Rufford Craft Centre Gallery hosts a changing programme of exhibitions which are free to visit; please see the Rufford Craft Centre Brochure [PDF 796KB] for current listings. Our gallery staff team welcome both groups and individuals; you may wish to book an introductory talk. In most cases photographs of exhibitions for educational use are permitted. The outdoor sculpture trail provides an additional activity and we can provide details of the works. Please get in touch if you require more information.

Every June Rufford Craft Centre stages “ Earth and Fire” an international Ceramics Fair within the grounds of the Centre. The event is free to visit and offers the chance to meet over 100 professional potters. There is an accompanying programme of talks and demonstrations.

The country park is free to visit, however a parking charge applies at weekends and during the six weeks summer holiday.

Leadership/apprenticeship

If you are a group who need to find a venue for shared leadership events we have education rooms available to hire at very reasonable rates.

Volunteering or work placement

Opportunities are currently being developed for volunteers and work placements. Please express your interest and we will send you details when they are confirmed.

Meeting Arts Professionals

Rufford Craft Centre and the broader arts team hold a variety of roles within the Creative Industries sector and we can arrange talks for visiting groups/individuals about these paths into employment within the arts. Some artists who work with us may also be willing to meet groups and talk about professional practice by arrangement. There may be a charge for this service.

Showcasing your work

We have education rooms that can be hired and we also have a small area adjacent to the gallery which we call ‘The Fringe’ which is often used for showing visual arts work by young people and groups we wish to showcase.

Other

Rufford Craft Centre has a fully equipped potter’s studio and offers residencies to both emerging and established ceramic artists. We hope to foster the talents of young people engaged with the Gold award to develop their own ceramics practice and/or to work with experienced artists.

We welcome enquiries related to these areas and your suggestions on how we may support other elements of the Arts Award.

Contact

e-mail: helen.ackroyd@nottscc.gov.uk

For more information about the Arts Award visit: www.artsaward.org.uk