Award-winning Exhibitions
Start’s exhibition work has been recognised by national and international awards over the years.
Model in ‘armature’ hat
Crowning Glories
winner of the UCL International Arts and Health Award 2004
The University College London Arts in Health Award is sponsored by the University College London’s Centre for Medical Humanities and the Slade School of Fine Art, in association with the Arts Council of England, the Royal College of Physicians, and the National Network for the Arts in Health. Start won the professional section of the award.
Trust Senior Manager Nick Metcalfe comments:
“This award is given for work that is of internationally outstanding quality and that changes attitudes. This is a wonderful recognition of the excellent standard of Start’s creative work, and of the role Start plays in supporting and improving people’s health.”
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust’s former Medical Director Frank Margison adds: “This is a well-deserved reward, and reflects the enormous contribution that Start has made to improving people’s mental health and in reducing stigma.”
Service users at Start were bowled over by the news. “I think it’s brilliant”, said one, “what an amazing surprise...this news has made my year! Now I can describe myself as an award-winning artist - I would never thought it possible before I came to Start!”
Judges’ Comments about Crowning Glories
“Particularly highly commended…exceptional, witty, challenging, articulate”
“Outstanding - very good project, very professional, good outcomes”
“A genuinely interesting concept to do with changing attitudes”
“Exciting project which was cohesive and surprisingly very diverse - a variety of highly individual reactions to the theme”
Special Commendation for the ‘Inner Word’ Garden
Inner Word Garden
awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Royal Horticultural Society, 2006
The Certificate of Special Commendation was given by the RHS judges at the Tatton Park RHS Show in recognition of the Inner Word installation’s quality, and the value of Start’s mental health promotion work.
The show manager, Max de Soissons, said that the award was given because so many show goers had described our exhibit as ‘thought-provoking and moving.’
Service Manager Zeph Curwen received the award for Start. She said “Recognition of Start’s work in such a prominent event as the RHS show represents another step in the journey that Start is making to raise the profile of art and good mental health.”
Modelling a fashion accessory from ‘Under My Skin’
Under My Skin
awarded the MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Association One Small Step Award 2005
This award recognised the innovative and important learning opportunities given to people participating in the project, who were users of Start’s service and the Manchester Learning Disability Partnership (MLDP) services.
Peter Drummond, Lead Practitioner for Manchester Learning Disability Partnership says:
“I saw the amazing work in this exhibition, by people who I know and it made me really think about words like opportunity, respect, equality, and ‘valuing people’. In this project, I saw these people not as clichés but as a reality. The partnership which has enabled this exhibition to happen is inspirational, and the award recognizes its achievements.”
One of the Start service users who had the chance to undertake a work placement on this project says:
“This was a chance to test the water in my aim to return to work. It’s been a real achievement for me. I have proved to myself that I am more capable than I had thought. Now I feel it’s opened up further opportunities and possibilities - my aspirations around teacher training don’t seem so pie in the sky anymore.”
Under My Skin was also short-listed for the Greater Manchester NHS Awards 2005
Now, Voyager
Start’s exhibition held in 2006 at the Whitworth Art Gallery, was short-listed for the Greater Manchester NHS Awards 2006
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