Artist peer support is a key part of how my own work has developed. Whether that be accessing formal development programmes, having a coffee with a friendly curator or being part of an artist collective – each of these connections are the structure that each of my own projects are built on. This is why I deliver a range of projects that support artist development.
Artist Led St Helens
Claire is a founder and director of Artist Led St Helens CIC. Artist Led St Helens is a collective and arts organisation of creative people with a connection to St Helens. We help people use space to be creative in St Helens. We work in St Helens in the North West of England (between Manchester and Liverpool). We’re currently based at Street and a Half, Haydock
Street.
Between 2024 and 2026 Claire Weetman and Gee Collins working as Artist Led St Helens were commissioned by St Helens Council Arts in Libraries to deliver a Creatives Development Programme that included the writing of research reports into the Affordability of Studios, an Equipment Library and the delivery of a programme of artist development. Some of this work continues in both funded and voluntary ways – check the Artist Led St Helens Instagram page for upcoming events and activity.
Formal mentoring projects
Festival 31 research and development residency: Collaboration with Kirushan Sivagnanam exploring power, systems, colonialism and the idea of deleting the borders. Commissioned by SOLA Arts.
http://www.claireweetman.co.uk/uncategorized/festival-31-collaboration/
Pushing Boundaries – artist mentor: In 2022 I worked with Curious Minds and Community Arts North West on a development programme for international artists based in Greater Manchester to develop their skills and experience in arts in education practice. https://curiousminds.org.uk/pushing-boundaries
Reside*/Artists Together
From 2020-2024 I was the lead artist for the Artists Together programme, commissioned by St Helens Arts in Libraries, hosting events, discussions, training and workshops that were led by and designed for St Helens Artists. The key event during this period was during 2023 when St Helens was the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. For this creative year the programme was built around this thought:
“What if every artist who is RESIDEnt in St Helens was recognised as an artist-in-RESIDEnce for the year?”
A busy programme of events resulted in ‘We Reside* Here’, a large format publication and exhibition showcasing the work of over 60 artists in St Mary’s Market, St Helens.
http://www.claireweetman.co.uk/gallery/print/we-reside-here/
Prototype Projects producer
In 2022-23 I worked as the producer to bring back Heart of Glass’ programme of support for artists in their Creative People and Places areas, supporting the application, commission and production of works by Clare Brumby, Helon Conning, Cath Garvey, Abdullrhman Hassona and Rocks and Lavender Productions.
https://www.heartofglass.org.uk/news-and-resources/news/announcing-support-for-five-new-prototype-projects
Informal skill exchange
Even though I’ve been frequently commissioned to deliver artist development and mentoring, I know that it’s often the quiet, unexpected moments that support the work we want to do. Where I have the time and capacity, I’m open to discussions of skill exchanges for mentoring time, or if you catch me at an event and want to ask something, I’ll be honest and let you know if I can help.