This session aims to explore the insights gained from the recent Independent Study Week project titled "The Past is Ever-Present (Exploring GSA’s Ceramic Collection)" regarding student experience and creative practice development.

The project involved examining objects from the GSA Archives and Collections ceramic collection, and the subsequent creation of new works made in response to it. Through an analysis of the project, a framework emerges that can be applied to future projects that offer innovative ways to engage with the archive, fostering cross-disciplinary and cross-school collaboration.

By providing students and GSA staff the opportunity to collaborate outside their departmental boundaries, and using the archive as a central source of inspiration, new creative works emerged from historical pieces associated with GSA. This approach encourages engagement with the art school's rich history, facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration, and leads to the creation of exciting new artworks.

The creative outputs from this project will be curated and exhibited in Windows on Heritage at the Reid Building, in May 2024. It is hoped that this format can be utilised and refined for future projects to further develop student experience and opportunities.