Biography - Elisa Oliver

Born Maidstone, Kent 1963

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

CURRENT
PhD University of the Arts London, Central St Martins
Title: ‘Hanging About; The Teenage Moment and the emergence of a New Sensibility in Contemporary British Art’

MA History of Art-1992
Institute of Art University of Central England, Birmingham
Metaphysics & Abstraction: Issues of Jewish Identity & Experience in American Painting of the 1950's.

P\G Dip History of Art & Design-1989
Institute of Art, University of Central England, Birmingham.

BA (Hons) History of Art, Design, Film & Photography in the Modern Period, 1985
Leicester Polytechnic.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CURRENT

Freelance Lecturer, Curator and Writer:

University of Chester since May 2006 0.5 (temporary)
Acting MA Fine Art Programme Coordinator

Coordinating and delivering studio and theoretical teaching for MA Fine Art
Organising final assessment exhibition
Assessing practice and written modules
Writing course re-validation document

Acting Co Director CPaRA (centre for practice as research in the arts)

Organising staff research seminars and identifying staff research needs
Strategic invitation of visiting speakers and programme of lectures contributing to the research culture of the department
Development of profile of CPaRA (centre for practice as research in the arts) through marketing and public programme
Organisation of conferences, in terms of intellectual leadership and practical facilitation
Development of website
Development of publication outputs
Writing of RAE
Assessment of staff research bids

‘pool Project-Programme Coordinator, from June 2007
‘pool project is run by artist Jean Grant and looks to engage and empower individuals and communities in relation to urban space and place, revealing through the experiential and performative resonances of Liverpool’s past with its present, drawing on strategies of ecology, urban planning, politics, heritage and sociology.
Main duties include:

Coordinatori and facilitation of key outputs of ‘pool, Seacycles, Urban Picnics, Bridging the Gap
Fundraising and budget management of the projects
Intellectual development and evaluation of projects
Writing project outlines and rationales
Researching the continued subject development of ‘pool
Coordinating publicity and marketing such as the brand image and the website development
Management of freelance staff.

CURATORIAL

Cornerhouse, Manchester Sept 2006
Course Curator- ‘From Contamination to Containment-Representations of the British Suburb in Film, Fine Art and Popular Culture”

West Midlands Hub and West Midlands Arts Council November 2006
Project Manager-curatorial development
Duties include

Devising and delivering a programme of curatorial development
Recruiting delegates
Securing speakers
Setting and managing a budget
Arranging travel and accommodation
Regular feedback to project partners
Evaluation of the project

Cornerhouse, Manchester Feb 2006
British Art Show 6
Course leader/curator, for 2 short courses on issues in Contemporary British Art centred around the British Art Show 6

The New Art Gallery Walsall
Public Programmes and Interpretation Officer (covering maternity leave) 2004-2005

Managing and hosting a varied programme of events and activities for the public and higher education audience around the exhibition and collection displays,
Identifying and researching potential areas of development and new partnerships,
Working with and supporting artists in the development of their work,
Managing a budget,
Identifying fundraising opportunities,
Liaising with press and marketing in the promotion of events.

FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) Liverpool
Public Programme Curator, Aug 2003-Aug 2004

Researching and managing a range of innovative programmes and events as part of the exhibition team.
Building partnerships with formal education and community groups to widen understanding and access to new media within fine art practice,
Developing performative events and working with artists in the realisation of these events,
Researching and chairing artist talks, symposiums and lecture programmes
Developing varied means of interpretation,
Representing FACT at external meetings and events,
Managing a budget,
Liaising with marketing and press departments re the profiling and audience development of events.

Tate Liverpool
Curator, Specialist Adult, Feb 1998-Aug 2003

Developing exhibitions and collections through the establishment of working partnerships,
Developing events and research aimed at higher education and arts professionals that contributed to an understanding of the programme
The establishment and management of the MA University Network, a course linking 7 universities in the North West
The management and co-ordination of the annual Critical Forum conference and publication in collaboration with Liverpool University
The selection and management of the Tate Momart, final artist in residence 2002.
The management and development of the Readers in Residence scheme in collaboration with ‘The Reader’ Magazine
Co-ordinator for the regional events in relation to the Turner Prize

ACADEMIC

University of Loughborough 2005-2006
Senior Lecturer
School of Art and Design third year dissertation tutor across Visual Communication, Fashion and Textiles and Fine Art.

Manchester University-2005
Research Assistant- ‘Contemporary Art Since 1945’, Amelia Jones Blackwell Publication
Assisting Amelia Jones on her Blackwell publication ‘Contemporary Art Since 1945’,

Co-ordinating copy deadlines for a range of authors,
Proof-reading and editing,
Working with writers on image selection,
Securing gallery and copyright permission for publication,
Maintaining a data base of the progress of the publication

‘Five Art Cities’ Arts Council
Course Leader ‘Capital of Sculpture’ WEA Liverpool-Autumn 2004
Devising, administrating and delivering a course of 20 lectures exploring aspects of sculpture, public and collection based in Liverpool and Wirral, the course was structured around walks and gallery visits.

The University of Sunderland , Senior Lecturer, History of Art and Design, 1993-1998

Module leader for modules across all undergraduate fine art levels,
Dissertation tutor,
Studio based teaching,
Postgraduate teaching for MA in Women’s Studies,
Contribution to the research culture of the University through the Ramen Selden Centre for Research,
Co-ordinator for shared teaching programmes with partner college, Newcastle College.

Staffordshire University, Lecturer, History of Art and Design, , 1989-1991
Lecturer on Art and Design History course teaching modules at level one and teaching contextual studies for fine art and course leader for foundation, level three dissertation tutor.

Salford University College, Lecturer, Art and Design History, 1988-1989
Lecturer Foundation and Betec courses in Art and Design

Nottingham Polytechnic, Lecturer, Art and Design History, 1987-1988
Tutor for interdisciplinary lecture programme for studio courses, third year dissertation tutor for fashion and textiles.

Hereford College of Art, Lecturer Art and Design History 1987-1988
Lecturer A level Art History and Betec Photography

Supply teacher, English and Art, Walsall Metropolitan Council 1987
Temporary schoolteacher all years

Ikon Gallery, Administrator/Receptionist, Birmingham, 1986
Answering general enquiries, managing the shop, processing event booking

Herbert Art Gallery, Community Arts Worker, Coventry, 1985-86
Identifying and working with a range of community groups to develop an exhibition on the theme of ‘Coventry Today’.

CONSULTANCIES

External Examiner University of Central Lancashire, Preston Contextual Studies BA Fine Art since 2002
External Examiner Wirral Metropolitan College, Birkenhead, BA Fine Art since 2002
External Examiner - Liverpool Hope University Fine Art Contextual Studies, 1999-2002
External Examiner - Manchester Metropolitan University- Foundation Course, 1997-1999
Validation Panel MA Fine Art Modules University of Central Lancashire, 2002
Validation Panel MA Fine Art course, Chester University College, 2002
Feedback Seminar member for artist group TEA, CUBE Manchester, 2002