Niki Colclough (she/her) is an artist based in Manchester UK, she works on self-directed projects and commissions to explore how art can address social issues, with a focus on care, wellbeing and the environment. Niki uses artistic thinking and processes to open up dialogues, often working collaboratively in a practice that sits at the intersection of art, society and wellbeing. Central to her practice is the theme of belonging and within this, a connection to the idea of place - considering the social, physical and emotional landscapes we inhabit.
In 2021 Niki trained as a Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) leader and has since been incorporating these techniques and ideas into her arts practice. Niki also leads the module ‘Approaches to Engagement’ on the MA Socially Engaged Art Practice at the University of Salford.
Niki is experienced in artistic facilitation, education and research as well as arts project and programme curation.
nic_on_tour@yahoo.co.uk
CV
Education & Professional Development
University of Derby Nature Connection Course : December 2021
Constellations (By Flat Time House & UP Projects London) : July 2020 - September 2021
Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) Diploma : May 2021
Children and Young People Safety Online : May 2020
Mental Health Awareness Training : August 2018
Dementia Friend : September 2016
Autism Awareness Training : February 2015
Art Award Advisor, Bronze, Silver, Gold : May 2013
Manchester College Art & Design Foundation Diploma (Distinction) : July 2011
Sheffield Hallam University, BA Media & Film (Class 2.1) : July 2003
Socially Engaged Projects / Commissions
Fellfoot Forward, North Pennines AONB July 2022
Modern Nature, Human Libraries & Rule of Threes : April 2022 - ongoing
The People’s Park, University of Salford : March 2022 - ongoing
Towards Rest & Resilience, Human Libraries & Rule of Threes : Nov 2021 - March 2022
Forest Play Lab (self-initiated), Peak District : June 2021 - ongoing
Drift (Activations Programme), The Turnpike, Manchester : March 2020 - August 2021
Open Doors (Autism Friendly workshops), Manchester Museum : January - September 2019
Art in Stroke Recovery, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester : October 2013 - June 2017
Re-Make The Museum, Silk Mill, Derby : November 2015 - June 2016
Paper Dens, St Helens Library Service : April 2014
Residencies
Real Estate, LeftCoast, Blackpool : October - November 2021
Grizedale Arts, Cumbria : July 2018
Do Re Mi, Coniston Institute, Cumbria : August 2017
Matadero Madrid, Spain : April - May 2017
Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey Arts Commission : May - June 2014
501 Art Space, Chongqing, China : August - September 2013
National Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia : June 2013
Olivia Newton John Cancer Care & Wellness Centre, Melbourne : October 2012 - May 2013
Arts Project Osaka, Japan : September 2012
Lime Arts, Manchester, UK : August 2011 - August 2012
Exhibitions
Forthcoming (May 2023)
Sheffield Hallam University
Forest Lab
Ride Your Pony, Abingdon Studios, Blackpool : November 2021
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (Online) : August 2020
Tracing Paper, Paper Gallery, Manchester : August 2018
Full Scale, Gallery II, Bradford University, : October 2017
Do Re Mi, Coniston Institute, Cumbria : August 2017
Inventores del Futuro, Matadero Madrid, Spain : May 2017
Radical Vulnerabilities, Caustic Coastal, Salford : July 2016
Programme Curation / Production
Young Person’s Programme Curator, Manchester Art Gallery : August 2019 - July 2020
YouthLab Lead Artist, CFCCA, Manchester : February 2017 - March 2020
Tania Bruguera’s School of Integration, Manchester International Festival : March 2019 - July 2019
Arts and Wellbeing Curator, Manchester Art Gallery : October 2018 - October 2019
Creative Agents Producer, The Horsfall, Manchester : April 2016 - April 2018
Young Person’s Programme Curator, Site Gallery, Sheffield : March 2015 - March 2016
Teaching / Talks
Module Leader MA Socially Engaged Practice, University of Salford : January 2019 - ongoing
Paper Presentation ‘Embedding Socially Engaged Pedagogies For The Future of Art and Design Practice’ : International Conference on Social Design, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia : September 2022
Making of Us Programme, Facilitator, Turnpike Gallery : March 2021 - September 2021
Alternative Art School Symposium, Manchester International Festival : July 2017
Performing Care Symposium, London School of Speech & Drama : April 2016
Taking Art to The People, Radio 4 Documentary : November 2015
How Do You See Me? Performance Lecture, The Royal Academy : July 2015
Staffordshire University, Guest Lecturer, Contemporary Art Practice : July 2014
Arts in Health, Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery : June 2014
Women as Placemakers Lecturer, Manchester Museum : March 2014
Arts in Health, Gallery of New South Wales, Australia : June 2013
Kyoto University of Art & Design, Guest Lecturer : September 2012
Awards
Revive Award : University of Salford : February 2022
Arts Council Award : June 2020
Oppenheim John Downes Memorial Trust : December 2018
Engaging Communities Award, University of Manchester : September 2016
Arts Council Award : February 2015
AA2A Award, Staffordshire University : September 2014
Arts Council Award : September 2012