With an MA in Fine Art (UWIC) and a post-grad-diploma in printmaking, degree and foundation (UWE), Carolyn has a strong lineage of being an artist and applying that in all she does. Whether that is as a practitioner, producer, consultant, tutor or writer, creative practice is central to her life.
She has extensive experience of the arts sector– as an artist, a writer, educator, mentor, project manager, curator and producer. For the last 20 years she has been working primarily as a freelance producer, project manager and curator, producing contemporary visual arts projects in unusual locations. Recent years have brought her back to her own studio practice, writing and film-making. All are intertwined.
Places are important to her work – they are never merely a location or backdrop to arts events – they are also the inspiration. It is mostly about the River Severn.
As a Producer she has worked with a fantastic list of specialists – from engineers to acoustic scientists, geologists to soldiers. Under the name Flow Contemporary Arts, she works alongside partners, both art and non-art, to collaborate and deliver ambitious, newly commissioned artworks, to be seen by diverse audiences in unusual locations – beaches and woodlands, canal-sides and redundant buildings – anything is possible when good partnerships are secured and strong visions shared.
Carolyn has initiated and delivered numerous public art works – ranging from scattered-site urban international exhibitions to singular sculptures in a rural context. She has substantial experience of fundraising, networking, marketing and of course working with artists on the ground.
Organisations she has worked in partnership with, or for, include Situations, Arnolfini, University of Southampton, Prema Art Centre, Watershed, Forestry Commission, Bristol City Council, Bristol UWE, SVA Stroud, ALIAS, Architecture Centre
Carolyn has experience in:
- curating
- business plans
- visioning
- fundraising
- commissioning
- health & safety
- licensing
- project management
- partnership building
- consultation
- mentoring for artists in professional development
- planning applications
- audience development
- evaluations
- writing and editorial
Carolyn Black 