E-newsletter. March 2008

Hello and welcome to the e-newsletter from Architecture Centre Network. This is our first communication for almost a year due to changes in our organisation. This e-newsletter tells you about some of the developments at Architecture Centre Network. E-newsletters will be sent every 6-8 weeks and future editions will focus on the innovative work of the 22 Architecture Centres in the UK.

Meet the new staff team at Architecture Centre Network
Over the past year we have recruited a new staff team here at Architecture Centre Network. Starting with our first full time Chief Executive who joined in January 2007 and completing our team with our newest member of staff, Jane, who arrived in her new post just last week.

Chief Executive: Michael Craven
Michael was previously Director Organisational Development and Director Visual Arts at Arts Council England. Before joining Arts Council England in 2000 he was Principal Lecturer and Course Leader in the university design sector and a consultant in cultural and organisational development.

Office and Project Manager: Roseanne McLean
Roseanne graduated with a 1st in Arts Management in 2004. She brings to Architecture Centre Network experience of administration and project management.

Head of Development (.45): Claire Pollock
Claire was Senior Officer Architecture at Arts Council England and is also currently working for CABE as Project Coordinator for a new government funded initiative.

Head of Learning (.45): Clare van Loenen
Clare was previously Head of Public Programmes at the Hayward Gallery, a class room teacher for 5 years and holds a PGCE and MA in Education Studies.

Web Communications Associate (.45): Jane Audas
Jane has worked most recently at the Science Museum where she managed and launched their new web and mini sites.

Finance Officer/Company Secretary (.2): Alison Raimes
Alison combines her work as an Artist with finance support for cultural organisations in London.

Get in touch by email or by phone: 020 7253 5199

A new name and website
We are currently working with an external consultant to develop a new name and brand for Architecture Centre Network (the organisation) which better reflects its developing direction and differentiates it from the membership network we lead. It’s all under wraps at the moment but look out for our re-launch soon.

A new Chair and Board Members
Vicky Richardson is the new Chair of the Board and she joined us some 2 months ago. Vicky is the Editor of Blueprint, the magazine for leading Architects and Designers. We also have 3 new Board members, Andy von Bradsky from PRP Architects, the cultural evaluator Annabel Jackson and Tom Dykhoff Architecture Correspondent of the Times and The Culture Show on BBC2. They join our existing Board members.

Membership of our network.
In April we will launch our new membership offer. There are two categories of membership – Core Membership for UK Architecture Centres and Collaborator Membership for those who are not Architecture Centres but benefit from association and collaboration with the network of centres and our organisations knowledge and training development programmes. Collaborator members can be based in the UK or overseas. If you are interested in joining our network, once collaborator membership is launched, email us.

What is an Architecture Centre?
Working with Centres and funding partners we have recently developed a new definition of an Architecture Centre. Architecture Centres work in many different ways and contexts but we were interested in capturing what linked them as a vibrant and increasingly influential sector.

An Architecture Centre works for the creation of better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces across the UK

They achieve this through:
• Participation: enabling real public engagement in architecture, the built environment and the public realm;
• Advocacy: promoting the case for architecture and design of the highest quality;
• Education: developing a greater public understanding of architecture, design and the public space.

To find out more about the work of the UK Architecture Centres do look at the case studies section of our website.

Crafts Council and Architecture Centre Network
The Crafts Council and Architecture Centre Network are working together and want to find out about current levels of co-operation and collaboration between the architecture and craft sectors. In order to gain information, investigate the opportunities that exist for future collaborations and capture what themes and areas of interest can be explored further, we are asking craft and architecture professionals questions about their practice.

We would value your contribution to this research by completing our survey - and would like your views and opinions even if you do not want to be part of any subsequent programme. Please be assured that your answers are confidential and you will not be identified in any reporting that takes place.

The survey will take 5 - 10 minutes to complete and the deadline is 31st March.
The names of all those who complete it will be entered into a draw with 8 prizes to be won - 3 subscriptions to Crafts Magazine and 5 pairs of tickets to the exclusive preview of Origin: The London Craft Fair at Somerset House in October.

Click here to take the survey.

Futurescape 2008
Futurescape builds on the Architecture Centre Network’s successful three year programme entitled, Engaging with Pedagogy I, II, III (2005 – 2007). This series of three 2-day seminars developed in collaboration with the Institute of Education, University of London offered Architecture Centre Network education staff continuing professional development that impacted on their delivery to schools and was funded by the CABE, ACE, Academy of Sustainable Communities and The Arup Foundation.

Futurescape is a new initiative led the Architecture Centre Network in partnership with CABE Education and with Futurelab (previously NESTA Futurelab) as research advisors. It offers high quality continuing professional development for architecture and built environment professionals, as well as non traditional organisations and educationalists engaging with the built environment education (BEE). Its primary focus will be an investigation of new models of learning for the BEE sector offered by emerging technologies. Emphasis will be placed on engaging young people in more personalised learning experiences and nurturing creativity in education.

The symposium will be in October 2008 in London. To register your interest in finding out more about, or attending, Futurescape email us.

We will be developing the e-newsletter alongside our branding work and love to hear feedback and suggestions. Email us.

Tel: 0207 336 7378

Newsletter editor:
Jane Audas

jane.audas@architecturecentre.net

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