Anna Francis is an artist and researcher whose work aims to create space to discuss and reframe city resources, through participatory art interventions.
She creates situations for herself, the public and other artists to explore places differently. In recent years the interventions which Anna has worked on focus on the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and use an action research process to recognise untapped resources, plan responses to disused sites in the city, take action to change the way these sites are viewed, and potentially, make changes, which can be temporary and sometimes permanent. Through this, Anna aims to gain an understanding of the role of artists, arts organisations and communities in the development of places.
Anna has curated exhibitions at AirSpace Gallery and The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, as well as leading on national and international curatorial and participatory projects.
Anna is Associate Professor of Fine Art and Social Practice at Staffordshire University, and a Director at AirSpace Gallery, anhd The Portland Inn Project.
Born in Canterbury, Kent, she first moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 1997, and now lives here permanently with her partner and two children.
Professional memberships and activities
- Director of The Portland Inn Project Board Member of AirSpace Gallery
- Member of Stoke City Council's Creative City Partnership Panel Member for the Local Trust Policy and Advocacy Panel Alumni of the Creative Climate Leadership Programme delivered by Julie's Bicycle Alumni of the Engage Extend Leadership Programme
Academic qualifications
PGCE (PCE) Art, Oxford Brookes University
MA Fine Art, Staffordshire University
BA hons Fine Art, Staffordshire University
Expertise
- Social Art
- Community development
- Cultural development
- Community led design
- Arts and regeneration
- Professional artist development
Research interests
The role of the artist in city and community development.
Interim use for disused spaces and resources in urban contexts.
Rethinking the Brownfield.
Enterprise and commercial interests
I have significant experience of both fund raising for cultural and community development programmes, as well as experience of designing and delivering place based arts programmes.
I have spoken at many varied national and international conferences, symposia and development sessions in the arts sector and community development sector, sharing my experience as an artist and researcher and leading on the development of co-created toolkits and resources for artists.
I am able to offer consultancy and advice on cultural and community development and am a member of the Local Trust Policy and Advocacy Panel.
Teaching
Undergraduate:
- Exhibiting and curating Fine Art
- Professional Practice for artists
Post-Graduate:
- Leadership in the arts
- Place based practices
- Social arts
- Participatory practices
Publications
Please see my staff Profile on The Staffordshire online Repository for publications, projects and research.
https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/view/creators/FRANCIS=3AAnna=3A=3A.html