Anatomy of an Art School
Friday 10 April 2026 09:30 - Saturday 11 April 2026 17:00
Location: Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1JQ
Anatomy of an Art School is a two-day public forum exploring what defines an art school and how creative education evolves in a changing world.
The forum brings together artists, educators and researchers from across the UK and beyond. Using Gray’s School of Art as a starting point, the programme opens into a wider conversation about studio culture, artistic lineage, architecture, place and the future of higher education.
Across keynote talks, provocations, panel discussions and performances, contributors will examine how learning environments shape practice, how traditions are challenged and reworked, and how institutions respond to social and economic change.
Programme
Day 1: Friday 10 April 2026
09:30 - Registration and Coffee
10:00 - Welcome Remarks
10:15 - Exhibition Context
11:30 - Live Performance
12:10 - Informal Networking / Lunch
13:30 - Provocation One
14:00 - Provocation Two
14:40 - Provocation Three
15:10 - Provocation Four
15:40 - Live Performance
16:10 - Informal Networking
17:00 – Day Ends
Day 2: Saturday 11 April 2026
09:00 - Registration and Coffee
09:15 - Welcome Remarks
09:25 - Provocation One
09:55 - Provocation Two
10:35 - Breakout Sessions One, Two & Three
12:00 - Breakout Sessions - Feedback
12:20 - Informal Networking / Lunch
13:20 - Reflections
13:45 - Provocation Three
14:10 - Provocation Four
14:50 - Breakout Session Four & Five
16:15 - Breakout Sessions - Feedback
16:45 - Closing Remarks & Day Ends
The forum marks the culmination of the exhibition Never Make a Head Bigger than a Melon, while the wider Gray’s 140 Years programme continues through to November 2026.
Register
Cost to attend: £10