Wysing Arts Centre celebrates 25 years as a progressive arts organisation

(Image removed)Initially set up by four enterprising friends, the rural centre has evolved into a highly regarded organisation that is part of influential networks, including the prestigious Plus Tate network, and has been the springboard for many successful artists over the years, including Turner Prize winners Elizabeth Price, 2012 and Laure Prouvost, 2013.

Over recent years the centre has extended its reach and is now working with Cambridgeshire based businesses on a programme in which artists work with businesses to unlock their creative potential, and with individuals with specialisms outside of the arts on an innovative talks and events programme that attracts large audiences. 

During 2014 Wysing will explore the potential of the future through what is known of the past through a series of residencies, exhibitions and public events including an ambitious Futurecamp over the summer; in which artists, scientists, politicians, philosophers, economists and architects will together explore what the future might hold for the individual and for society.

Wysing’s Director since 2005 Donna Lynas says: “Wysing has come a long way since it was founded in 1989 and has an incredible alumni of artists who have worked here across the years. I’m really looking forward to welcoming them back to Wysing in 2014 when we will take a glance at the past whilst looking forward to a future; one in which artists continue to play a central role in all that we do.”

To support its ambitious future plans Wysing has launched a new patrons scheme, Shape the Future, and is fundraising to embark on a programme of retro-fitting of the 11 acre site with renewable energy solutions, including solar pv. The capital refurbishment programme, one of the first of its kind for a UK visual arts organisation, is linked to a major initiative within Cambridge to retrofit the city over the next thirty years.



Wysing’s 2014 programme includes:

16 Feb-30 March
Annals of the 29th Century – a group exhibition of new commissions by artists who worked in-residence at Wysing during 2013 and which takes influential artist Gustav Metzger’s prescient writing as a starting point, and its name from the science fiction novel by Andrew Blair which was published anonymously in 1874. Artists: Anna Barham, James Beckett, Keren Cytter, Cécile B Evans, Michael Dean, Gustav Metzger, Rupert Norfolk, David Osbaldeston, Seb Patane, Charlotte Prodger, Florian Roithmayr.

13 April – 1 June
Hey, I’m Mr Poetic – a group exhibition that explores the role of the artist in making the mundane mysterious and explores Wysing’s own role as a centre for artistic enquiry; all the artists have worked at Wysing over the last ten years. Artists: Aaron Angel, Jonathan Baldock, Jonathan Baldock, Jordan Baseman, Edwin Burdis, Nicolas Deshayes, Michael Dean, Jess Flood-Paddock, Emma Hart, Andy Holden, Kate Owens, Juneau Projects, Christodoulos Panayiotou, Laure Provoust, Florian Roithmayr, Giles Round, Soheila Sokhanvari, Ash Summers, Caroline Wendling, Ben Wilson and Jesse Wine.

7 June – 15 August
Futurecamp - artists and others in-residence exploring what the future might hold for the individual and for society. Artists and contributors to be announced. Discussion and events programme:
Saturday 7 June, 12-6pm
The Way We Act Now: Psychology and Behaviour in the Digital Age
Saturday 14 June, 12-6pm
Private/Public and the Trajectory of Late Capitalism
Saturday 12 July, 12-6pm
The Way We Live Now: Future Environmental Developments and Survival
28 June, 12-6pm
A Post-Gender World
Saturday 19 July, 12-6pm
Alternative Methods: Education, Access and Engagement

30 August - 12 noon to midnight
Space-Time: The Future – Wysing’s annual festival of art and music which sold out in 2013 and includes three stages of live music and performance.

Autumn 2014 will include opportunities for four artists to be in-residence (3 November – 12 December) and the year will close with another group exhibition that looks into the Wysing archives (13 September – 9 November).



WYSING ARTS CENTRE develops new ways to support artists and enables art and ideas to engage a wide range of people in unexpected ways. Wysing’s large rural site near Cambridge comprises artists’ studios, education and new media facilities, a gallery and project spaces, a 17th century farmhouse and outdoor sculptures and structures. Wysing offers a unique environment for art to be developed and presented; with an ongoing and innovative artistic programme of events, exhibitions, retreats and residencies; and a unique programme for young artists. Art developed at Wysing is shown at significant venues around the world, and Wysing is part of national networks including Plus Tate, Contemporary Visual Arts Network, and the Arts Council National Portfolio.

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For further information please contact:
Mark Searle, Wysing Arts Centre
01954 717108 [email protected]
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