Children launch event for Turner Contemporary

Could you work for a 6 year old boss?
Do you have a smiley face?
Would you like to come and help us change our town?

Those are the interview questions set by a pioneering group of 80 primary school children (Young Art Leaders) from Margate who are leading the regeneration of their own town through arts and culture as a part of the Art Inspiring Change project*.

Supported by Sir Roger Gale MP, these Young Art Leaders are opening a launch event for Turner Contemporary and Canterbury Christ Church University at the House of Commons on Monday 31 October 2016. Anne Longfield OBE, Children’s Commissioner for England will attend the launch event to introduce the Young Art Leaders and reflect on the key findings from Turner Contemporary’s research.

The event celebrates research commissioned by Turner Contemporary, through the COaST research group at Canterbury Christ Church University, to deepen its understanding of the gallery’s impact; aware that economic impact, no matter how impressive, is only part of a bigger picture.

The Social Return on Investment research is hugely positive, and gives voice to why visitors and participants value Turner Contemporary. Amongst many benefits, the research informs us that the gallery provides a stronger sense of connectedness to family and friends; enables people to be more receptive to new experiences; empowers them; increases self-belief, inspires and excites them and encourages them to be more active members of society.

Victoria Pomery OBE, Director of Turner Contemporary, “At a time when our communities are becoming fractured and divided, this research brings great hope that art really does inspire positive change, and can help us to build a stronger, more creative and connected society in future.”
Turner Contemporary is one of the first galleries in the UK to track the Social Return on Investment and this event is an opportunity to inform stakeholders, politicians and policy makers about this important research.

Turner Contemporary in Margate is one of the most distinctive galleries in the UK; its impact stretches beyond culture-led regeneration and the showcasing of world-class exhibitions, to transforming lives through enriching and meaningful experiences by means of art.

Since opening in 2011, Turner Contemporary has:

 Generated £50 million for the local economy (£8.9m generated in financial year 2015/16)
 Led to the opening of 72 new businesses
 Safeguarded 155 jobs
 Attracted over 2 million visits
Turner Contemporary continues to lead the regeneration of Margate and East Kent, supporting its
vision, Art Inspiring Change. Regeneration is about so much more than buildings and physical
infrastructure; it is about people – our creativity, aspirations, skills, networks and opportunities as
human beings.

Upcoming exhibitions:

JMW Turner: Adventures in Colour

8 October 2016 – 8 January 2017

John Akomfrah: Vertigo Sea

8 October 2016 – 8 January 2017

Give today

Turner Contemporary is a charity. Give today – visit turnercontemporary.org/support

Seeing Round Corners

Until 25 September 2016

Yinka Shonibare MBE: End of Empire

Until 30 October 2016

Platform 2016

Until 25 September 2016

Turner Contemporary

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Registered Address: Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG. Registration No: 06772337.
Turner Contemporary is a registered charity No. 1129974.

Celebrating artists, creativity and learning through an ambitious programme of excellence, Turner Contemporary in Margate enriches lives and inspires confidence to lead transformation.