A beam
of enlightenment
beam: switched onto public realm education: “
A place to learn challenge, enable, enrich, inspire,
and ensure the quality and sustainability of our public
realm…”
Nestled in an oasis of green at the heart of the Wakefield
Westgate regeneration site is the historic grade II*
Orangery, where beam, a company dedicated to helping
people make better places, plays host to cutting edge
innovative thinking, contemporary artwork, architectural
and built environment design
Though originally built around 1800, beam are creating
a ‘new Orangery’ as an exciting vision for
a new centre for the arts, learning and place making
in Yorkshire. Renowned architects SMC Alsop have created
an inspiring and sensitive scheme for the refurbishment
and extension of The Orangery.
beam are a unique, innovative and exciting organisation,
combining creativity with practicality beam offers cross-curricular
learning for all ages. The beam Gallery is the only venue
in West Yorkshire with an exhibition, education and outreach
programme entirely devoted to art, architecture and the
public realm.
beam’s education programme encourages people of
all ages to learn how to understand and enjoy architecture
and the built environment; demonstrating how this field
of design can link with other subjects and their own
experiences. The beam gallery is a fantastic educational
resource that can be used by both students and educationalists
to enrich learning in every area of the curriculum.
Founded in 1986 beam has engaged thousands of people
in creative education, arts projects and events in Yorkshire
and elsewhere in England and co-ordinated over 300 public
art projects and strategies. beam was known for 20 years
as Public Arts but by 2006 a steadily widening focus
meant that that the company needed a new name. beam’s
Executive Director Robert Powell said: ‘after two
decades the work we do has evolved and diversified significantly
into training and education. We felt it was time our
name and identity reflected those changes. We think the
word beam evokes all manner of positive images, light,
and illumination, even a smile. It will help us signal
what we think is a bright future ahead – for us
and for the Yorkshire region.’
For more information please contact Victoria Hodgson
01924 215550 victoria@beam.uk.net
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