Who we are
Art Teachers Connect is delivered in partnership between the University of Leeds (School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, and the Arts and Humanities Outreach Team) and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.
The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art has generously funded Art Teachers Connect since 2020, and is committed to funding the programme up to 2026.
School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
Established in 1950 as one of the first university departments to offer degrees in Fine Art, the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies has been consistently at the forefront of offering a space to address critical questions about the role of art, art history and culture in society. We believe in the importance of thinking through making, and making through thinking. Our research and teaching looks to address inequality and difference, and we are known globally for our long-commitment to the social practices of art and art history, and to thinking about art in an intersectional way – through questions of race, identity, gender, sexuality and class. This work means that we consistently aim to address inequalities of access to arts education, and the School has worked in partnership with our university educational outreach team to develop and deliver this ambition.
By empowering amazing teachers, we aim to empower young people across the country to visualise a future in the arts, cultural and creative sectors.
University of Leeds – Arts and Humanities Outreach Team
The Arts and Humanities Outreach Team delivers a diverse and inspiring programme of outreach and widening participation activities, mirroring the extensive undergraduate offering from the University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The team works closely with academics, post-graduate researchers and undergraduate students in the Faculty to curate an outreach offer that showcases the importance of arts and humanities and their value to society. Our rich and varied programme encourages students to explore and analyse the world around them, as well as develop their critical thinking and creativity. Delivered by experts in their field, our activities will provide tasters of university study, information about how these subjects will support future careers, and insights from current students who are passionate about their degree subjects as they share their higher education journeys.
Many of our activities are targeted, so that we reach and support those students who are underrepresented at university in our subject areas, aligning with the University’s Access and Participation Plan commitments to the Office for Students. Information on the impact of our widening participation activities and initiatives can be accessed in our Annual Report.
Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
The Paul Mellon Centre is an educational charity that champions new ways of understanding British art history and culture. We publish, teach and carry out research, both at the Centre in London and through our online platforms. The Centre’s archives, library and lively events programme are open to researchers, students and the public. Our grants and fellowships programme supports institutions and individuals with research projects, publications, exhibitions and events. Through all areas of the Centre’s work, it promotes activities that enhance and expand knowledge about British art and architecture.
The Centre was founded in 1970 by the art collector and philanthropist Paul Mellon. It is part of Yale University and a partner to the Yale Center for British Art.
Our team
Find out more about the people who develop and deliver the
Art Teachers Connect Programme.
Abigail Harrison Moore
Abigail Harrison Moore is Professor of Art History and Museum Studies at the University of Leeds and was Head of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies (FAHACS) until August 2019. She developed the University of Leeds’ very successful masters programme in Art Gallery and Museum Studies, and co-developed its sister programme, MA Arts Management and Heritage Studies.
She has developed and runs a wide range of projects for teachers and pupils, including Plan, Prepare, Provide, the Discover ARTiculation Challenge, Discovery Days in museums and galleries, the University’s EPQ programme and the Post Graduate Certificate in Teacher’s Research and Practice, and contributed to an award winning MOOC on academic skills for pupils undertaking research projects.
Abigail’s research focuses on the art history of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, particularly the Arts and Crafts Movement, and her last monograph, Fraud, Fakery and False Business (Continuum, 2011), considered the social, legal and political dimensions of the art and antiques market in 1920’s England. She has more recently been working on an international project on gender and the histories and cultures of energy supply, with collaborators from Canada, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Ireland and the US, and her co-edited book – In a New Light; Histories of Women and Energy was published in 2021 (MQUP). In the UK, she is very focussed on creative education in schools, has helped develop the curriculum in her subject areas and has written widely on the educational challenges for young people from low social and economic groups and the ‘problem’ of cultural capital. She is currently combining these two strands of her research and practice for her AHRC Research, Engagement and Innovation Fellowship, working with Leeds Museum’s Preservative Party of 14-24 year olds on a participatory research project to co-produce histories of women and energy in the home.
Rachel Prosser
Rachel is the Learning Programme Manager at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. Rachel is responsible for the Centre’s programmes that make art history and visual culture accessible to people of all ages. This includes the Yale in London study abroad programme, a biennial international Graduate Summer Programme, the nationwide Write on Art competition, the Centre’s public events, and, of course, Art Teachers Connect.
Rachel has most recently held positions as a Skills and Diversity Senior Policy Advisor at the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) and Private Secretary to the Minister for the School System at the Department for Education (DfE). Prior to these roles Rachel was the Learning Programme Manager at the Bishopsgate Institute, and the Adult and Family Learning Programme Manager at Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Rachel has an MA in Museums and Galleries in Education from the Institute of Education, UCL and MA in Art History from the University of St Andrews. In her free time Rachel delivers LGBTQIA+ tours at Tate Britain and is learning ceramic wheel throwing.
Anne-Louise Quinton
Anne-Louise delivers Art Teacher Connect’s CPD sessions and residential programme, and is a tutor on our Postgraduate Certificate.
Anne-Louise initially trained as an exhibition and museum designer, and worked as a freelance illustrator, alongside many other creative roles. Anne-Louise then taught secondary Art and Design for 24 years in an inner-city school in Bradford. She now delivers subject-specific CPD to art teachers including at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Hepworth Wakefield, and on Art Teachers Connect.
James Kilcoyne
James is an Events and Projects Officer in the Education Engagement department of the University of Leeds. James is responsible for the day to day running of Art Teacher Connect as well as other projects for the University of Leeds.
James’ projects are primarily aimed at widening participation of students from underrepresented backgrounds, supporting them into Higher education. James’ team work towards the overall aims of the Access & Participation Plan set out by the University of Leeds.
In previous roles, James has worked in a Student Support role at the University of Leeds, as well as working in the third sector for the charity IntoUniversity, again working towards supporting underrepresented groups into Higher Education.
James has a BA (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Leeds. In his spare time James is a keen sports player, playing football and golf across West Yorkshire. Each summer James volunteers as a Team Leader for Leeds SVP Children’s Charity Camp.
Esme Boggis
Esme is the Learning Programme Coordinator at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. Esme coordinates and delivers the Centre’s programmes that make art history and visual culture accessible to people of all ages.
This includes the Yale in London study abroad programme, a biennial international Graduate Summer Programme, the nationwide Write on Art competition, the Centre’s public events, and, of course, Art Teachers Connect.
Esme has held a variety of arts education roles, including being a Junior Fellow on the University of the West of England Fine Arts programme, and Project Assistant for Foreground – a public arts organisation based in Frome, Somerset. Esme has also worked as a Digital Content Coordinator and Workshop Facilitator in arts organisations, galleries and schools.
Esme has a BA (Hons) in Arts and Visual Culture from the University of the West of England and an MA in Writing from the Royal College of Art. Esme holds a PGCE in Further Education from The University of Greenwich. In her free time Esme is a practicing writer, and her work has been published online and in print.
Our Residential Programme Tutors
Susan Coles
Susan is a champion for visual art education and the right of every learner in the world to have access to that, regardless of their age, their ability, or their location.
Susan works as an adviser and consultant across all phases of education and in museums and galleries. She also writes and delivers very successful CPD sessions, face to face and online. Susan is a firm believer in the power of networks, and founded the NEATEN (North East Art Teacher Educator Network) in 2007. She is also a trustee of Access Art, an Associate of the Big Draw, past president of NSEAD, secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Art Craft Design Education, and has represented Europe on the World Council of the International Society for Education through Art (InSEA), the official UNESCO organisation for Art education, since 2017. Susan has recently been elected as Vice President of InSEA 2022-2023, and was also recently appointed as visiting professor for Education through Art at the University of Sunderland. She is a popular presenter and keynote speaker, who knows that the confidence to do that is only because art ‘gave’ her a voice. Susan is also an artist- because we all are.
Twitter: @theartcriminal Instagram: @theartcriminal
Sarah Phillips
Sarah is currently Head of Education and Empowerment at Open City, the architecture charity looking to make London more accessible, equitable and open. In this role, she runs a wide range of education programmes across SEN, primary, secondary and sixth form. The flagship project, Accelerate, offers free workshops and mentoring to sixth formers from groups currently under-represented in the built environment sector.
Previously, she was Head of History of Art at Godalming Sixth form college as well as a long-standing teacher of English Literature at both GCSE and A Level. She wrote the current History of Art A Level specification and was Pearson’s Principal Examiner for five years. She served on the NSEAD Council for 3 years and wrote regularly for AD magazine.
Determined that the arts shouldn’t disappear under the fatal combination of EBacc and chronic under-funding, Sarah works to explore the value and links between art and the rest of the curriculum at all stages.
Paul Raymond
Paul Raymond (he/him) is an artist-teacher from the north east of England. He is a part-time secondary school teacher and works as a freelance artist & arts educator outside of his role in school.
Paul is part of the North East Artist Teacher and Educator Network (NEATEN) and a studio member of The Newbridge Project in Newcastle. He has worked with numerous schools, universities, galleries and organisations across the UK. Paul was recently artist in residence at Durham Sixth Form Centre, and is currently undertaking the AA2A scheme at Sunderland University.
Paul’s own artwork incorporates a variety of techniques and materials including sculpture, collage, digital moving image, performance, ceramics and kinetic sculpture. He is interested in experimental and playful approaches to making, and enjoys working with others through collaborative projects and workshops.
Instagram – @raymondterrific
Twitter – @NE_ArtTeacher
Hannah Vallis
Hannah is a teacher of Art and Photography at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College in Leeds which is one of the biggest providers of FE in the city with over 2,000 students.
Prior to becoming a teacher Hannah worked in learning, programming and curatorial roles at organisations including Tate, The Hepworth Wakefield, and King’s College London. Hannah is particularly interested in engaging young people in gallery settings and is excited to use her experience as both a teacher and gallery practitioner to explore the relationship between classroom and gallery pedagogy.