Free & Family-Inclusive Symposium: Making Room for Children and Art
Wed 27 May
12 - 4pm
Millenium Gallery, Sheffield
Free & Open to all
Documentation image credit: Becky Beinart
Making Room for Children and Art is a free symposium on artist-parent-child collaborations and other strategies for continuing a creative practice alongside caring for children.
Held at the Millenium Gallery, Sheffield, the event will bring together artists, curators, researchers and art workers to share, discuss and develop thinking around intergenerational collaboration and the conditions that support artist-parents in cultural institutions, studios and public spaces.
As organisers, we warmly welcome children and families. A making and play space will be active throughout, with play workers present to support families. A free lunch is provided for all attendees. The event is open to artist-parents and carers whether or not they are attending with children.
Speakers include:
Shirley Cameron, artist, Sheffield, on her pioneering collaborative practice with her daughters from the 1970s onwards.
Jo Harrison, co-founder of the Art Working Parents Alliance, on the Alliance's work building networks, visibility and advocacy for artist-parents across the UK.
Hettie Judah, curator, writer and co-founder of the Art Working Parents Alliance, presenting from her new book 'How to Enter the Art World...' (Hoxton Mini Press, 2026).
Assunta and Lou on their collaborative practice from 2020-ongoing
And more TBC! Check back as we update.
Slide-share circle
Attendees are invited to submit one image or slide in advance and respond briefly to two questions: what is your practice, and how do you manage your time between care and art work? Participation is opt-in and open to all attendees. If you would like to take part, please indicate this when you register and we will be in touch closer to the day with details of how to submit your slide.
How to book
Register your place via the booking form. Places are free and limited.
We ask a few questions about your family group, need for a travel bursary, dietary requirements and access needs and will destroy all information after 6 months.
Travel bursaries are available for artist-parents travelling from outside Sheffield and their families. Please indicate your travel needs when you register and we will be in touch to discuss your request and whether we are able to support you. We have a limited pot, so encourage you to register early.
If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. Email us at: info[at]blocprojects.co.uk
Delivered in partnership with Bloc Projects, Millennium Gallery and the Art Working Parents Alliance.