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Research

Research at Kettle’s Yard

Kettle’s Yard became part of the University of Cambridge in 1966. Ten years earlier, Jim and Helen Ede had transformed four derelict cottages in Cambridge into spaces to view modern art. The Edes believed that art should inspire learning and this aim has been at the core of Kettle’s Yard since its foundation.

The Edes welcomed students from many disciplines into their home to experience, discuss and debate art and ideas. We continue to support this dialogue between students, academic researchers, curators and the public. Our research covers many areas, from the house and collection, exhibitions, institutional histories and archives, education, and community engagement.

Photo: © Kettle's Yard

Research Projects

Paint like the Swallow sings Calypso, Kettle's Yard. Photo: Jo Underhill

Find out more about past and ongoing research projects happening at Kettle’s Yard, including within the house and collection, exhibitions and community and learning work.

Explore research projects here

Using the Archive

The archive at Kettle’s Yard contains Jim Ede’s personal papers, as well as letters from many artists including Helen Sutherland, Alfred Wallis and Ben Nicholson. The papers document the wide range of influences throughout Ede’s life, from his experience of World War I to the development of Kettle’s Yard and its collections.

If you have queries about the archive, or would like to make an appointment to consult items, please email collections@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk.

Find out more about the archive here

Image Licensing

To license an image from our collection, please visit Bridgeman Art Library.

Please note that most works in our collection remain under artistic copyright, and require additional permission from the artist or their estate. Artistic copyright extends from the life of the artist to 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the artist died. It is the responsibility of the licensee to obtain relevant additional copyright clearance.

Unless otherwise specified, all images are © Kettle’s Yard, University of Cambridge.

Personal and educational use of our images is permitted free of charge. Please contact collections@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk with details of your request.

View the collection here