Freedom of Expression
Overview
Kettle’s Yard’s programme is primarily made up of exhibitions, community and learning activities, music concerts and public programme events, such as collection and exhibition talks and tours. The majority of the programme takes place at Kettle’s Yard, while some programme activities take place in the community or online in the form of live or recorded talks and programme related resources.
The Director of Kettle’s Yard is also the Artistic and Programme Director, with responsibility for all activities which constitute the programme. In particular, the Director researches and selects the major exhibitions (and decisions concerning related publications) working closely with the Assistant Director and other team members.
Exhibitions
At present, three major exhibitions each year are researched and presented. Typically, these involve working with living artists. One in around five exhibitions is inspired by an artist represented in the permanent collection displayed in the Kettle’s Yard house. Sometimes exhibitions include works by both living artists and artists whose work is in the collection. We aim to be ambitious, original and international in scope in planning our programme, presenting exhibitions which challenge and surprise, championing innovation in form and content.
There are many factors which determine the selection of exhibitions. These include a desire for a varied and dynamic programme, the design and capacity of the gallery spaces, a reputation for exhibiting the work of outstanding artists and for making compelling and critically engaged exhibitions, and budget considerations.
Kettle’s Yard’s policy relating to the nature of its programme, including exhibitions, is always evolving as it seeks to reflect changes within the arts and within society.
The overall aim is to deliver Kettle’s Yard’s mission and current ambitions and work to support and champion Kettle’s Yard’s values. We also seek to contribute strongly to Arts Council’s England’s ‘Let’s Create’ Strategy as well as current, relevant strategies of the University and the University of Cambridge Museums consortium.
Kettle’s Yard Mission, Vision, Purpose & Values
Freedom of Speech and Expression
Kettle’s Yard has a duty to support and champion all the University’s policies. This includes the University’s policies relating to freedom of speech and expression.
As an institution, Kettle’s Yard does not hold political views or express political views. We champion art and artists and the value of research, learning and engagement in the visual arts. We also present music concerts and run a wide range of activities and events. We strongly support the freedom of speech and expression of artists and others with whom we work or partner. In particular (and encompassing guest curators and creative partners), we recognise that artists often make art works or speak about artworks within a political context and sometimes with the intention of stating or promoting a particular political stance. However, Kettle’s Yard does not take a view regarding an artist’s political beliefs or other beliefs, whether expressed within the context of the galleries, the wider programme or in another context. Our position is rather to support the artist’s right to express their views, within the law.
At the same time, as an institution, we are responsible for which works of art and cultural material are displayed at Kettle’s Yard (in the House and galleries) and online, and for our programme of music and events. We are sensitive to how art, cultural objects, music and events may be differently understood or experienced by visitors and audiences, and related discourse. We therefore seek to contextualise, interpret and to offer explanatory and content notes, as appropriate.
In relation to Kettle’s Yard staff, volunteers and members of our committees: they are free to express their political and personal views on social media and in any other form as long as this is not done in a way which suggests they are speaking for Kettle’s Yard or that a view expressed is endorsed by Kettle’s Yard. Kettle’s Yard staff are expected to reflect the values of the organisation when expressing views that could be associated with their employment.
Andrew Nairne
Director
May 2023