Imperial War Museum (IWM) 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund is a national partnership with over 20 artist commissions across the UK inspired by the heritage of conflict.

The Harris is thrilled to be working on this IWM funded project which is supporting an opportunity for an artist to create a new artwork that will become part of the Harris’ permanent collection and feature in the new displays when we reopen next year.

We are commissioning an artist of Egyptian heritage who will work with local communities to explore shared stories of conflict and connections that exist between Preston and Egypt from the First World War to the present day.

Find out more by visiting the project page on the Harris’ website and IWM’s website.

https://www.theharris.org.uk/press-news/imperial-war-museums-2-5m-art-commissioning-programme/

IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund | Imperial War Museums

What's involved?

This opportunity is for 3 volunteers to join the project team. The team will work together right through to next Summer. Once the team has formed, it will agree when and for how long (and how often) it will meet up. 

This will include being part of a panel that will read proposals submitted by artists and play a key role in deciding who the successful artist will be.

Once we have an artist on board, your tasks might include:

• Researching relevant objects from the collection and local histories.
• Supporting the artist during a research visit.
• Helping to improve object documentation and the digitisation of objects.
• Helping with the interpretation and display of the new artwork
• Helping with the promotion of the project, new artwork, and related events. 
• Helping at public events related to the new acquisition.   

Activities will take place at different times, to be agreed by the artist, you and Harris team. You might want to focus on a particular activity within the project or be involved in a wide variety of activities, that is up to you and you can discuss this with Lindsey and Nicola. 

Activities and meetings will take place at the Harris’ temporary collections store at the Museum of Lancashire and then in the Harris once we reopen.

Lindsey - The Harris' Fine Art Curator, and Nicola - The Harris' Contemporary Art Curator are the leads for this project.

No formal training is required but Lindsey and Nicola will support you to recieve any training neccessary.

Why get involved?

Be part of an exciting new project!

Be a part of the project team right from the word go! 

This project supports the creation of a new contemporary artwork!

The new artwork will feature in new displays when the Harris reopens in 2024 (the artwork will become part of the Harris' permanent collection). 

If you want to learn new skills and play a key role in decision making then this is the role for you.

If you are interested in the research and development of a contemporary art commission and acquisition then this is the role for you.

How to get involved?

Log in to your account

Accept the challenge 

Lindsey will be in touch about the first meeting to introduce the project.