a-n Degree shows guide 2012 is published

The a-n Degree shows guide 2012now out is focused on “looking to the future” – the heady world into which this year’s crop will graduate. Alongside signposting all the best UK shows, there’s advice from Northern Art Prize winner Leo Fitzmaurice, insights from CCA’s Francis McKee and the Contemporary Art Society’s tips on buying from degree shows. As Guest Editor Chris Sharratt says: “Is there a more exciting time in the contemporary arts calendar?”

And as a first this year, we’ve not only published the guide in printed format and in easy-to-read flip book format on our website, but through digital partnerships with Contemporary Art Society, Creative Times and Jotta, we’ve widened access to the content, for the benefit of all exhibitors and the universities. Included are insights on what happened after graduation from glass artist Phoebe Cummings (2002 University of Brighton), Emily Wardill (2000 Central St Martins graduate), Rachel Goodyear (2000 Leeds Metro University) and painter Michael Fullerton (1994 Glasgow School of Art). Alongside are Sharratt’s own timely ‘Ten things every graduate should do’ - where he recommends taking the long view. “We all want everything to click into place, but for most of us it’s not the way it works. So persevere, develop your ideas, be ready to take the long way round – just as long as you remember where you’re heading.”

Coinciding with the publication launch, Fitzmaurice was the invited judge for a brand-new a-n initiative – the 2012 Degrees blogger awards. Congratulations to bloggers Ben D Gedig (Bangor University), Tiffany Horan (Oxford Brookes) and Suzy Waldron (University College Falmouth) who shared £3,500 worth of art materials donated by prize sponsor Great Art.

a-n Director Susan Jones said: “ It’s important all of us working in the arts do everything we can to help this year’s graduating students make their way in this harsh economic climate. We all like to visit the shows but buying art and craft work can make a real difference to the morale and future status of students losing the safety net of the institution.”

Contacts

Jo Wilson jo.wilson@a-n.co.uk

Susan Jones susan.jones@a-n.co.uk

Notes for editors

a-n The Artists Information Company has been providing an annual Degree Shows guide in both print and digital format for over a decade. www.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited was a-n’s first user generated site, launching in 2005 with four guest bloggers. Hundreds of final-year students have since used the platform to expose their working processes in the run-up to final shows.

Based in Glasgow, Degrees shows guide 2012 editor Chris Sharratt is a writer, editor and editorial consultant including for www.creativetimes.co.uk. He writes on art, music and culture for specialist magazines and the national press