National Trust and Newcastle University Partnership

Contemporary art and heritage

Our collaborations on pioneering projects in contemporary art and heritage explore how visual art can be commissioned for heritage sites - and how to navigate the challenges this brings.

Key outcomes from our work together are:

• innovating and interpreting art within heritage settings
• exploring under-representation and equity
• initiating international collaborative network

 

Hadrian's Wall and Sycamore Gap

Newcastle University and the National Trust have a long history of collaboration at the UNESCO inscribed 80-mile Wall. Key outcomes of our work together are:

• helping volunteers to preserve the wall - discover how in this blog
• archaeological monitoring efforts
• public engagement for Sycamore Gap

After the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree in September 2023, we worked together on a swift technical response. This work included our geospatial engineering researchers working with Leica Geosystems to capture an accurate record of the felled tree and surroundings.

We're continuing to work on outputs following the public response to the felling including artists' exhibitions and film commissions.

Emerging work

Our projects continue to flourish and evolve through a strong focus on equity and engagement. Two emerging projects are:

Beyond the Curtain

This project brings together an interdisciplinary body of researchers from our Centre for Children and Youth and colleagues from the National Trust and Children North East. It explores how best to enable equity of access for young people to nature, heritage, and beauty.

Ageing Well Across the Life Course

Aligning closely with the National Trust’s ‘Everyone Welcome’ ambitions, this initia study focusses on intergenerational activities and potential innovations in this area. The project is supported by our Centre for Ageing and Inequalities.