Curriculum Vitae
CHRIS FREMANTLE
Independent Researcher and Producer
39 Charlotte Street, Ayr, KA7 1EA; +44(0)7714203016, chris@fremantle.org
chris.fremantle.org ecoartscotland.net
Chris Fremantle is an independent researcher and producer working closely with higher education producing
significant international research outputs as well as working with key artists and organisations in specific
contexts (healthcare and environment) to deliver award winning and exemplary projects (e.g. Saltire Society Art
& Architecture Award, Better Building in Healthcare Award).
In recognition of Fremantle's contribution to research, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
appointed him Honorary Senior Research Fellow in 2010. He has completed the CPD qualification to supervise
PhDs at Robert Gordon University.
He is currently delivering the Therapeutic Design and Arts Strategy for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde's New
South Glasgow Hospitals; consultant to Creative Scotland on Public Art Scotland (the national public art
development programme) and undertaking an external Researcher Associate role at Gray's School of Art as part
of their REF2014 programme.
Fremantle has contributed to securing a number of AHRC awards and has delivered engagement activity in a
wide range of contexts including HE.
Publications
with Hamilton, A. and Sands, J. 2013 (accepted). Dignified Spaces: deinstitutionalising spaces in the heart of the clinical
environment. Sheffield: European Design for Health Conference.
with Mullins, J. and Urquhart, D. 2012. CoRE Challenges: the artist in residence programme at the British Heart Foundation
Centre for Research Excellence, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh. Texas A&M: SEAD Network.
with Isles, C., Cusack, P., Lankston, L. 2012. Visual art in hospitals: case studies and review of the evidence, Journal of the
Royal Society of Medicine.
2012. Collaborative Relationships. Newcastle: a-n The Artists Information Company.
Following on from this extended essay drawing on a-n's archive of pieces on collaborative relationships, Fremantle
delivered a seminar with three artists in Nottingham Autumn 2012, and will be delivering a further seminar in
Bournemouth Summer 2013.
2011. Distraction and Attention: Health, Nature and Art in the GROVE project at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's New Stobhill
Hospital, Sheffield: European Design for Health Conference.
with Douglas, A. 2009. The Artist as Leader Research Report. Aberdeen: The Robert Gordon University.
This report has now been cited in a number of papers and Gray's School of Art has appointed a PhD with IDEAS
Institute funds to develop the work.
with Watson, A. 2008. Reading the Landscape: Cairngorm Mountain Art Project. Aviemore: Cairngorm Mountain Ltd.
with Douglas, A. 2007. Leading through practice: commissioned research papers. Newcastle upon Tyne: a-n The Artists
Information Company.
with Douglas A., Delday, H. 2006. Inthrow: Revealing Change. Aberdeen: Robert Gordon University.
with Douglas, A. 2008 Breaking Through the Aesthetics of Public Art. Bergen National Academy of the Arts: Sensuous
Knowledge 5: Questioning Qualities International Conference.
with Douglas, A. 2005 Leaving the (social) ground of artistic intervention more fertile. Bergen National Academy of the Arts:
Sensuous Knowledge 2 Aesthetic practice and Aesthetic Insight International Conference.
with Douglas, A. 2005 An Ecology of Art of the Everyday. Public Art Observatory, POLIS Research Centre, University of
Barcelona. Waterfronts IV’ international conference.
with Douglas, A. and Delday, H. 2004. The Dynamic of the Edge: practice led research into the value of the arts in marginal
spaces. Bergen National Academy of the Arts: Sensuous Knowledge 1: Creating a Tradition, International Conference.
Other Papers/Conferences
2012. Scotland vs the USA: Who has agency in public art? Panel Moderator. Chicago: International Sculpture Center Annual
Conference.
2010. Distraction and Attention: Health, Nature and Art in the GROVE project at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's New Stobhill
Hospital, Theory and Practice Seminar. University of Edinburgh: Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities.
2010. What is sculpture made of? Panellist. London: International Sculpture Center Annual Conference.
2009. Soil: A Virtue in Designing Environments for Life. Glasgow: Institute for Advanced Studies.
with Douglas, A. 2009. Jane Jacobs and Sustainable Practices. Helsinki: Finnish Academy of Fine Arts: Public and
Participative Art: Performance in Everyday Life,
with Douglas, A. 2009. Working in Public: Art, Practice, and Policy Creative Scotland: Public Art Research+Resource Scotland
http://www.publicartscotland.com/reflections/39 [accessed 27 July 2011]
with Sands, J. 2009. New Victoria and New Stobhill Hospitals' Art Projects Creative Scotland: Public Art Research+Resource
Scotland http://www.publicartscotland.com/reflections/71 [accessed 27 July 2011]
2008. 10 Years is short in geological time: Place of Origin, a ‘landscape as art’ project in Scotland. PAR+RS
http://www.publicartscotland.com/reflections/34 [accessed 6 November 2009] Reflection on Saltire Award winning project.
2008. Making Poetry to Invent Policy: The practice of Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison, Edinburgh: Association for
the Study of Literature and the Environment Conference.
2007. Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison: The 30 Year NOW: A Future for the Lee Valley, Gunpowder Park: Bright
Sparks Seminars.
2006. Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison's use of Maps in their Art. Glasgow: The Map Designers, British Cartographic
Society.
2002. The Epistemology of a Residency Centre. Helsinki: 8th Res Artis Conference.
Research Funding:
Fremantle has extensive experience grant writing, securing funding from a wide range of sources including Public Sector
(Creative Scotland/ Scottish Arts Council, DEFRA Climate Challenge Fund, Scottish Government, local authorities); Trusts and
Foundations; private individuals.
Fremantle has contributed to writing/securing a number of academic research grants including:
2013. Wellcome Trust, Public Engagement Theme (ECA). In preparation, value sought £30,000.
2013. AHRC. CORE Land and Energy proposal (ECA). In preparation.
2012. University of Edinburgh Challenge Fund (ECA). Sought £8,000. Successful.
2011. AHRC. Collaborative Doctoral Award. Leadership (Gray's). Successful.
2008. AHRC. Evolving the Aesthetic (Gray's). Sought £300,000. Unsuccessful.
2006. AHRC Nature of Creativity. The Artist as Leader (Gray's). Sought £30,000. Successful.
Relevant recent experience:
2011-ongoing
Public Art Research + Resource Scotland
Role:
co-producer / Consultant to Creative Scotland
Fremantle was appointed as part of a team of co-producers to deliver Creative Scotland's national public art development
programme. This involves delivering a programme of new writing and commentary on public art in Scotland, as well as a
programme of events in partnership with HE organisations.
Fremantle has led on commissioning a range of Scottish and international authors including Grant Kester, Nuno Sacramento,
David Butler, Ben Spencer, Collins+Goto.
2000 ongoing
On The Edge Research, Gray's School of Art, The Robert Gordon University
Role:
Research Associate and contracted Research Assistant/Resident
On The Edge is the leading research programme in Scotland focused on public art. Fremantle has been involved since the
outset in 2000.
2010 Fremantle undertook PhD Supervision CPD through Robert Gordon University.
2010 and 2012-13 Fremantle has been contracted to work with a staff at Gray's School of Art to establish a research cluster
entitled Co-Creativity of Hand and Mind. Fremantle employed a tested methodology of interview and workshop to achieve a
step change in staff participation in research.
2006-2008 Fremantle was Reseach Assistant working on AHRC Nature of Creativity funded The Artist as Leader project.
Fremantle undertook 30 interviews with artists, organisational leaders and policy makers and co-authored the research
report. Fremantle also led on the production of a public engagement publication with a-n The Artists Information Company.
2007-08 Fremantle was a steering group member for Working in Public Seminars and sub-edited documentation for the
project archive.
2010-ongoing
ecoartscotland
Role:
Producer/Editor
Fremantle initiated ecoartscotland as a platform for research and practice. ecoartscotland comprises several aspects
including occasional papers as well temporary learning spaces. ecoartscotland has secured a regular readership and is
reposted to two other blogs on a regular basis.
2010-ongoing
Therapeutic Design and Art Strategy for the New South Glasgow Hospitals
Role:
Producer / Project Manager working for Ginkgo Projects
Therapeutic Design and Art are key contributions to overall Way-finding and Healing Environment Strategies which directly
affect patients', visitors' and staff experiences of healthcare. Working with two 'strategy artists', Will Levi Marshall and
Donald Urquhart, and other members of the Ginkgo team, Fremantle was responsible for the preparation of the Therapeutic
Design and Art Strategy for the New South Glasgow Hospitals.
This evidence-based strategy addresses the scale and complexity of the major new Adult Acute Hospital with 1109 beds and
adjacent Children's Hospital with 256 beds. Drawing on the landscape of Scotland for inspiration, the Strategy focuses on
the delivery of projects which demonstrably impact on the functionality of the buildings and campus. The Strategy
encompasses core provision and makes recommendations for enhancement, as well as in associated schedules and
programmes setting out coordination across the largest capital healthcare project in Scotland.
The Therapeutic Design and Arts Strategy for the New South Glasgow Hospitals was rated A by the NHSGGC Board meaning
that there were no outstanding issues at Full Business Case.
2008-2010
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde New Stobhill and New Victoria Hospitals Public Art and Education
Role:
Project management, fundraising and communications.
The public art programme for the New Stobhill and New Victoria Hospitals is part of a major service modernisation
programme. Two suites of public art projects, involving a total of eleven artists have been delivered on time and within
budget in the context of a PFI capital programme. Coming in between conceptualisation and implementation, Fremantle
was responsible for supporting and ensuring the timely delivery, conceptualising and implementing an education and
outreach programme as well as securing the final tranche of funding.
Contract extended to develop pilot ongoing programming for New Victoria Hospital including Artist's Residency; New Media
programming for Atrium projector in partnership with C&SG, NLS and Scottish Screen; programming temporary spaces in
partnership with Langeside College and Glasgow City Council Education Department.
2006-2009
Greenhouse Britain (Helen Mayer and Newton Harrison, David Haley)
Role:
Associate & Producer
Greenhouse Britain: Losing Ground, Gaining Wisdom is a major exhibition of new work by the eminent international artists
Helen Mayer Harrison, Newton Harrison and their British associates. Greenhouse Britain brings together art and ecology to
envision practical responses to climate change for mainland Britain. Fremantle secured the DEFRA Climate Challenge Fund
award of £186,250 and project managed the research, production, tour and evaluation of this major project. Partners
included the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER),
Manchester Metropolitan University and Sheffield University.
The tour of Greenhouse Britain includes the Greater London Authority's City Hall, Manchester Metropolitan University's
Holden Gallery, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World, Exeter, and the
London Wildlife Trust Conference. Complementary projects included The 30-Year Now research project with Gunpowder Park
Bright Sparks and Greenhouse Shrewsbury (ACE,WM).
2006-2008
PLATFORM: Remember Saro-Wiwa
Role:
Project Manager and Fundraiser
PLATFORM London are the interdisciplinary social and environmental organisation working across arts, research, education
and activitism for post-oil futures. Remember Saro-Wiwa is a key PLATFORM programme. Fremantle managed the launch
and tour of the Remember Saro-Wiwa mobile work of public art to four venues (Goldsmiths' College, Glastonbury Festival,
Pump House Battersea Park following launch at Guardian Headquarters Farringdon Road. Programmed music, poetry and
other arts. Fundraising for tour of national monument to Ken Saro-Wiwa including grant writing (successful awards from
Arts Council England, trusts and foundations). Organisation of High Value Donor events.
Academic and Professional Qualifications
2010-2013
Honorary Senior Research Fellow, University of Dundee
2010
Phd Supervision CPD, Robert Gordon University
1990
M.Litt. Cultural History, University of Aberdeen
1988
M.A. Hons. English and Philosophy (2:1), University of Aberdeen
1986
Internship, Smithsonian Institution, Cooper Hewitt Museum of Design, New York
Employment History:
2010-present
HTBN contract - Art, Space + Nature, ESALA, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh
2006–present
Independent Researcher and Producer (self-employed)
2006-2008
Part-time Development Officer, PLATFORM, Remember Saro-Wiwa
2003-2006
Creative Links Officer, South Ayrshire Council
1996-2003
Director, Scottish Sculpture Workshop
Board and Professional Memberships:
2009–present
Director, Ayr Gaiety Partnership
2008–present
Glasgow Arts & Health Network, member.
2006–present
ecoartnetwork, member.
2005–present
Associate Member and Member of the Executive, Scottish Artists Union
2002–present
Trustee, Mill of Noth Research Trust
1993–present
Professional Member, Institute of Fundraising
2006–08
Associate, Harrison Studio & Associates (Britain)
2003–06
Member, National Arts Education Network.
2002-03
Member, Professional Advisors Group, Gray's School of Art
1996-03
Director, Peacock Visual Arts (Company Secretary 2000 – 2003)
1993-00
Member, Aberdeen City Children’s Panel, Scotland’s juvenile judicial system.
1993-96
Trustee, Dr. Johnson’s House Museum