Our Impact

Art, Society, Nature is the underpinning theme of the School’s philosophy and the basis for an exciting and inclusive programme of exhibitions, events and performances, many responding to discussions and collaborations amongst the community of TMS and the local area, below are a few examples… in 2022 the theme was ‘Reclaim and Collect’ and saw ‘Adonis’, which reversed male voyeurism, Life Drawing with studio holder Mary-Ann Stuart and Silver Sisters, an exhibition of photography, including a full body cyanotype silhouette, presented by Melanie King, studio holder, alongside Kim Conway and Emily Rose Parris. Lydia Reeves also showed her Female Body Casting with accompanying spoken word.

A recent collaboration grew from discussion and encounters at TMS that led to the sociologist in residence, David Nettleingham, spending a weekend in the gallery space welcoming locals and visitors and inviting them to re-draw the map of Margate to reflect their own experiences, whilst the Sound Arts students ran workshops to re-sound the town with improvisation using a plethora of instruments and sound creation devices.

Compote drew from the roots of the practice of two of the European Fine Art Masters students, an interweaving of using natural materials and things that are close to them to create transformation, change, new growth and collaboration within the Margate High Street Sculpture and Community Garden in collaboration with twelve artists to use natural or found materials in their own way. The exhibition culminated with a day of conversations, activities and food, revisiting the artworks after the force of nature had worked its magic.

Make the Wave, one part of the Stop The War on People, Society, Nature, was initiated by artists, climate and XR rebels Helen Lindon and Marcelle Lindon saw the fascia of TMS enrobed in a giant canvas as part of a national localised action to bring Climate Change and Sea Rise Levels to the G7 summit in Cornwall. Other events in this series included performance and poetry readings connecting Margate to Nigeria via a live stream link and a resident movement artist from Germany collaborating with artist UKD in choreographing a performance.

The accessible exhibition space has been a platform for artists with disabilities to exhibit, including Proud 2 Create, an eclectic and vibrant art show by exceptional young people with unique abilities, curated by Arts4All.

Exhibitions have been held annually at TMS to celebrate International Women’s Day and Power Of Women (POW) Festival and Margate Pride, exploring gender, diversity and inclusivity and led by students and studio holders working together.

You can discover more exciting and interesting events on the TMS website

In addition TMS has:

• Repurposed and rejuvenated the former Woolworths building, a key feature on Margate High Street

• Created and offered the only European Fine Art Masters in the UK, validated by our partner Esä, the Dunkerque and Tourcoing-based French art school

• Established the only Higher Education institution in Margate

• Founded courses in Visual Communication, Sound Arts and The Still & Moving Image

• Created a unique hub combining academic excellence with studios, maker facilities and a public event programme

• Developed and offered technical facilities, including a FabLab, darkroom, screenprinting, ceramics, exhibition and studio space

• Created a base for over 50 creative professionals and students with work and studio spaces, supporting more than 70 artists

• Welcomed over 16,000 visitors and stakeholders each year to exhibitions and participating in workshops, training sessions and events

• Launched the Margate Festival of Design

• Created the Margate High Street Sculpture and Community Garden

I can confidently say that the pedagogic approach that has been developed is unique in the UK... Specifically, the incredible space that has been created; that is flexible, inclusive of stakeholders, public artists and students. This has, and will, have an important impact on the local and regional community, providing opportunities that were not previously available in this area. This space allows professional practice and education to co-exist symbiotically in a way that... creates the ideal context for genuinely advanced practice.

Dr Rebekka Kill, External Examiner