WSD

CADE

Centre for the Arts and Design in the Environment

CADE aims to:

• bring together and take part in cross-disciplinary research, consultancy and conferences allowing professionals to benefit from new ways of seeing and doing
• engage with local, regional and national organisations to promote arts and design in the environment for cultural, social and economic benefits
• establish a community of recent arts and design graduates who wish to develop their businesses and find ways into the creative professions

Working with artists and designers, exchanging expertise with schools, hospitals, local community groups and industry. CADE has instigated collaborative projects between students, staff and resident artists including:

• Jim Buchanan
• Anne Schwegmann-Fielding
• Gordon Flemons
• Lisa Temple-Cox
• David Leviatin

These collaborations have resulted in community artworks being produced for the campus and in other locations.

Holding conferences to enable the exchange of ideas between those involved in the arts and design and those who manage the environment. Previous events have covered subjects such as:

• 'Living Arts in the Landscape'
• 'Sculpting the Landscape with Soil'
• 'Agriculture and Art - cultivating successful outcomes'
• 'Space to Work'
• 'Space to Work - making it happen'

Outreach activities are undertaken each year including environmental improvement schemes and skill-sharing events with local communities, education organisations and local government.

Research ranges over a wide spectrum. The Centre has investigated using the skills of a professional photographer to enable students of design to capture the concept of community and view space in a new way. A mosaic artist has worked with a plant scientist to investigate low maintenance meadow plantings. Recent consultancy has concerned concept designs for the courtyards of a major hospital development, with an emphasis on the well being of patients, staff and visitors.

New studio development which will establish a community of artists and designers, t be drawn from recent graduates seeking to develop their careers and businesses in these fields. The aim will be to encourage collaborations between arts, design and environmental professionals and to support graduates from the outset of their careers.

The innovative fusion of skill in art and design combined with the College's academic strengths provide new education opportunities at Writtle which contribute to the wider community and cultural vibrancy of the eastern region as a whole.

Enriching the academic experience through creative collaborations with arts and design communities