We are delighted to welcome Harriet Loffler back to Norwich to give ncas an insight into her work as Curator of The Women’s Art Collection based at Murray Edwards College in Cambridge.

The Women’s Art Collection is Europe’s largest collection of art by women and in this talk Harriet will share its unique story. The Collection is displayed throughout Murray Edwards College, an iconic Brutalist building designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in 1964 as a manifesto for women’s education. The Collection is a celebration of women’s agency and creativity, an art historical record and a living, evolving body of art. At the heart of its founding mission is the principle of collaboration and community in which women take centre stage as administrators, artists, collectors, curators and patrons. Harriet’s talk will cover how the Collection was founded, how it is integrated in the life of the College, selected highlights, as well as what it means to be a collection of work by women in the twenty-first century.

Prior to joining the College, Harriet was Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery from 2009 - 2018. In her role she led on all the contemporary exhibition and public programming, partnership projects, as well as the development of the modern and contemporary art collection. She has also worked at Frieze Art Fair in London and MoMA in New York. Harriet has an MA in Curating Contemporary Art from the Royal College of Art. She is Chair of the Public Art Advisory group for North West Cambridge development – the largest development in the history of the University of Cambridge. She has been a mentor at Wysing Arts Centre and Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge and a guest lecturer at the University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts.

Directions: If you stand facing the main entrance to the Cathedral and look left across the playground, you will find the studio. Helpers on the gate will guide you.

Parking: There is free parking at the school. Helpers on the gate will guide you. The car park closes at 10pm so please make sure you leave before then.

Refreshments: Wine and soft drinks will be available after the talk. All attendees are very welcome to stay and socialise.

Members: £5. Non-Members: £8.

UEA, NUA, City College and Norwich School students FREE!

Photo credit: Wilf Speller