Plymouth College of Art appoints Dr Stephen Felmingham as Academic Dean

Plymouth College of Art (@plymouthart) appoints Dr Stephen Felmingham as Academic Dean

Plymouth College of Art has appointed Dr Stephen Felmingham as Academic Dean for the upcoming 2021/22 academic year. Stephen leaves his previous role as Head of School of Critical + Cultural Studies to take up this new position.

As Academic Dean, Dr Felmingham will lead the strategic academic development of Plymouth College of Art’s Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Pre-Degree portfolio of courses. Stephen replaces Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, who has moved into the role of Principal and Chief Executive following the retirement of Professor Andrew Brewerton after eleven years of service to the college. Stephen’s appointment ensures a continuation of the vision that has seen the independent, university-sector art college (established in 1856) work in partnership with international organisations such as Tate and the British Council, retaining its focus on excellence through creative learning and a commitment to social justice.

Professor Paul Fieldsend Danks, Principal and Chief Executive of Plymouth College of Art, said:

“I am delighted with Stephen’s appointment, and I am looking forward to working alongside him in continuing to develop our distinctive offer as an independent university sector College of Art. As a highly respected artist and educator, Stephen is well placed to expand and develop the extraordinarily rich creative and collaborative ecosystem that is Plymouth College of Art.”

Stephen Felmingham is an artist and educator, and has lectured extensively in drawing, painting, print and contemporary art practice on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the UK, including University College Falmouth, Norwich University of the Arts and Leeds College of Art. He studied at Middlesex University and the University of the Arts London (Wimbledon) where he completed an MA in Drawing in 1999. He gained his doctorate from the University of Leeds in 2014 reading drawing, place and the contemporary sublime.

He was nominated a member of the LAND2 Research Network in 2009, was shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize in the same year and was a finalist in the Celeste Art Prize, New York, in 2010. He speaks regularly both on drawing and art and design pedagogy, his work is represented in collections nationally and internationally and he has exhibited widely in the UK and in Europe.

Dr Felmingham said:

“This new role for me brings real opportunity to lead critical aspects of the new curriculum and academic life of Plymouth College of Art, to support staff and students and to drive growth through innovation. I have immense belief in the creative potential of the whole community here and in the excellence of our academic teams. I’m thrilled to be able to continue our work together in this way.”