October 2026
Our research on the Civic Art Collection as part of ‘Our Heritage, Our Stories’ has been completed, and has been used by Wakefield Council to label some of the art works that are on public display. Some audio descriptions for Ossett and Wakefield are now available online and the intention is to record more: Civic Art Collection Rediscovered
The Art House in Wakefield is supporting Wakefield Council to invite contemporary artists to apply for a new funded residency exploring the stories, lives and histories held within and around Wakefield’s Civic Art Collection. They are seeking proposals from artists for a one-month supported residency in Wakefield, using one or more of these portraits as a starting point for exploration and to respond in a creative response. The Art House
January 2025
Wakefield Council contacted Wakefield Historical Society to ask us if we would be prepared to research artworks held by the Council, which had recently been evaluated by a professional assessor. She had been appointed on a freelance basis to fully audit Wakefield’s collection of civic art (photographs, measurements, media etc), and to initiate and report on initial research findings (i.e. identity of the sitters & artists, historical significance of these works). This was part of a longer-term initiative led by Wakefield Council’s heritage officer and the museums team to gain a better understanding of this collection. Some information had been gleaned about some of the subjects, but there was no information about others.
A research group has been set up and is in the process of discovering information about these diverse artworks and how they came into the Council’s possession. With over 50 artworks to research, the group are holding regular meetings to discuss progress and exchange information.