Shortlisted for the ‘Knowledge Exchange Awards’ for ‘The Seaside Follies’ – The University of Exeter’s inaugural KE Awards in 2022 recognised collaborations between researchers and organisations that have made an outstanding impact on society, health and the environment.
The University of Exeter Knowledge Exchange Awards 2022 celebrated the best collaborations between University of Exeter researchers and external partners regionally, nationally, and globally.
156 entries were received from across all faculties and featured excellence in knowledge exchange from all areas of academic life.
We were nominated and then shortlisted for a project that trained a cohort of emerging local artists in seaside, al fresco performance and self-employment skills. It linked the University with Exeter College, Theatre Alibi, Teignmouth Town Council, Teignbridge Town Council, Exeter Quayside, and Customs House Trust, Exeter Culture and RAMM. The project resulted in professional performance contracts for the participants and animated public space for the venues.
This is the first training programme of its kind in the UK and it put into practice Dr Lidington’s academic and practical research into historic and contemporary seaside entertainment. It offered young, locally based artists the opportunity to learn performance, public interaction and professional skills , as well as the opportunity to perform as professionals alongside their trainers (who were all experienced practitioners from arounfd the country). It provided impacts of public engagement and regeneration of the seafronts and contributed to the impact and programme of key regional institutions. The funding was a partnership between all the above organisations, crowd-funding and also the Arts Council of England. As a result, we reached an audience of 4-6 million people through significant packages broadcast on Radio 4, Radio 5, national & regional television news, plus a 1/2 page article in The Times newspaper.