ETHO Technical Community Conference 2023: Pick & Mix Recap
Tuesday 28 February 2023
Photo description: Animation and caption studio at Middlesex University Last week, from 22-24 February 2023, the ETHO Technical Community Conference 2023: Pick & Mix took place in London, UK. This event was hosted by the Royal College of Art (RCA) in collaboration with local ETHO partners across London and the South of England: Kingston School of Art, London South Bank University, Middlesex University, Staffordshire University London, Digital Institute, HereEast Campus, University of the Arts London, and University for the Creative Arts, Farnham Campus. The ETHO Technical Community Conference addressed the emerging role of technical teaching in Art, Design and Performing Arts. At this conference, the aim was to question and share knowledge, experiences and best practices of how technical and practical skills can be implemented in the teaching of future artists. The various sessions explored topics such as sustainability, immersive technologies, technical teaching, and staff development. In accordance with the theme “Pick & Mix”, the conference offered a three-day programme which included a series of keynotes, lectures, workshops, group discussions and mobile visits to various schools in London and surrounding areas, of which participants were able to pick and choose their desired programme. The event took place in-person in London, as well as online. The event was a milestone for the ETHO community. It was the first time in more than three years that ELIA’s technical community came together in person. It was truly a Pick & Mix programme with something for everyone. According to one of our participants, "Events like ETHO are usually a one-off opportunity for Technical Staff to partake in activities /events outside of their institution".
The conference was very well attended with approximately 166 in-person participants, and the technical staff represented 55 ELIA member institutions from 19 European countries. With a series of keynotes by Kieran Brown and Richard Falle from UWE Bristol, Tim Savage from the University for the Creative Arts, Aymeric Mansoux from Willem de Kooning Academy, and Verity Cleary from the University of the Arts London Central Saint Martins. Some of the highlights of the conference included the tours and technical visits, which added an extra level of energy and engagement among the participants. It created an opportunity for participants to engage one to one and exchange information. Several great workshops were offered, including the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham Campus (UCA) which had a tour of the facilities, and a hands-on workshop on various techniques of glassmaking, including a glass-blowing workshop with glassblower and designer Laura Quinn. Other technical tours and workshops were held at the following locations: Kingston School of Art by Andrew Nasrat and Richard Trupp, Middlesex University by Daniel Sosnowski, University of the Arts London Central Saint Martins by Adam Ladlow, and at the UAL London College of Fashion by Sophie Jelinek and James Montgomery. View the photo gallery of the event below. To learn more, visit the ETHO (European Technical Heads Organisation) webpage here. |
Email to a Friend
