معرفی
Sarah Perks is a Professor at Teesside University's School of Arts and Creative Industries, where she leads the MIMA Research Unit at the university's contemporary art gallery and museum. She is an internationally renowned curator specializing in interdisciplinary relational curatorial strategy, with significant contributions to contemporary art, curatorial practice, and creative social action.
Her academic background includes a Master's in Visual Culture and a Bachelor's in History of Film, Photography and Visual Media, both from Manchester Metropolitan University. Her career trajectory led her from education roles at Cornerhouse, Manchester to becoming the inaugural Artistic Director (Visual Art) of HOME and Professor of Visual Art at Manchester School of Art in 2014, before her current position at Teesside University.
Sarah's research focuses on relational curatorial strategies that combine creative practices with science- and humanities-based explorations to investigate equitable human and non-human partnerships. Her work spans nature recovery, heritage action, digital museum design, cultural policy, and inclusive cultural activism. She has developed innovative methodologies that merge contemporary art, performance, and filmmaking with fields like ecopsychology, quantum physics, and artificial intelligence.
Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on alternative pedagogy, collective agency, and ecological thinking. The Ignorant Art Schools series explores new curatorial ecosystems, while projects like The Deep Ecology Council investigate participatory approaches to environmental challenges. Her documentary work, including 'About Tomorrow,' addresses themes of refugee experiences and women's collective action.
- Creative Review's 50 Creative Leaders (2017)
Sarah co-leads the MA Curating and Doctorate in Professional Practice (Curating and Creative Practice) with Dr. Paul Stewart, and the MBA Cultural and Creative Leadership with Dr. Claire Louise Staunton. These programs are also offered as Level 7 apprenticeships across England with government funding. She has supervised numerous research projects, including 'Green Corridors NE,' 'Forms of Circulation,' and 'Freedom Women Collective,' which explore creative approaches to environmental challenges, community engagement, and women's roles in the creative industries.
As leader of the MIMA Research Unit, Sarah oversees initiatives that address creative practice in nature recovery, heritage action, and digital museum design. Her current projects include 'Tomorrow' with Freedom Women Collective, 'The Ignorant Arts Schools,' and 'Natural Futures,' which researches inclusive creative approaches to nature recovery in collaboration with various environmental organizations.
