Children can discover a history Below Stairs at Harewood

Harewood House is delighted once again to become the recipient of the prestigious Heritage Education Trust’s Sandford Award, in recognition of the achievement of the Trust’s Learning programme.

An independently judged, quality assured assessment of education programmes at heritage sites, The Sandford Award assesses museums, archives and collections across the British Isles, with accreditation lasting for five years. This is the seventh time since 1979 that Harewood has been awarded the accolade.

An educational charitable Trust, Harewood offers a rich and diverse range of learning opportunities with indoor and outdoor sessions for all ages, from early years to school trips and Higher Education seminars. All three of the Trust’s Collections are integrated into the sessions, inclusive of the historic house, the natural landscape and the bird garden.

David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood, says; “This is very good news indeed. My congratulations and warm regards go to everyone who has contributed. Education is such an important part of what we do and to have sustained the standards necessary to receive the Sandford Award over such a long period, is a great tribute to the work done here.”

Harewood is one of over 500 institutions taking part in the annual awards, which focus mainly on formal, curriculum-linked education opportunities offered to schools, and provides a kite-mark for high quality education provision.

Jane Marriott, Harewood House Trust Director, says “I am delighted that Harewood has once again been recognised for this award, the seventh time in the history of its education programme, which dates to the 1970s.

“The education of our future generations is of paramount importance to us and the opportunity to explore art, culture, history, heritage and landscape that we have at Harewood, is central to our role as a charity. We are enriched by the generations of architects, artists, designers, collectors, gardeners, and individuals who have lived and worked here over hundreds of years, and most importantly, we highlight our commitment to maintaining the relevance of Harewood and the work of the Trust, both now and in the future.”

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If you’ve not yet read or heard about Carnival Messiah, Geraldine Connor’s epic masterpiece, which Harewood House staged in 2007 and the Earl of Harewood co-produced, then now is the time. Ashley Karrell’s film and documentary, which features 17 years of content from the show, just won People’s Choice Award for Best Documentary at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival

A radical reimagining of Handel’s Messiah, the original production fused music, dance, and carnival into a spectacular live performance event. It brought together over 150 local Leeds community performers, together with celebrated international artists, all on one stage with a backdrop of Harewood. The production marked the climax of a year of events at Harewood in 2007 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

At the time, artistic director and creator Geraldine said; “It should be acknowledged that Harewood is the only stately home in the UK to be completely transparent about its involvement in the slave trade…we stand firm together in commemorating and celebrating our shared heritage.”

David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood, was the show’s executive producer: “We wanted to acknowledge Harewood’s history but at the same time to celebrate the present. I don’t know of any more exuberant, more spectacular, more inclusive expression of contemporary Caribbean culture than Carnival Messiah.”

Carnival Messiah The Film & Documentary, created and directed by Leeds based film-maker, Ashley Karrell features a large cast, loud music, impressive carnival costumes – and also features interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from the original production and the cast and creatives involved. The film premiered at Leeds Playhouse in September 2017 and has subsequently been screened at Leeds International Film Festival.

Geraldine passed away in 2011 and the Geraldine Connor Foundation, supported by the Lascelles family, was established. It is a way of ensuring that Geraldine’s ‘unique spirit and phenomenal impact’ are remembered and her legacy of bringing people together through arts and culture is continued. Harewood House is very proud of its association with this great production and its continuing commitment to education and working with local communities.

Watch the trailer from the film here.

To read more about the foundation of Harewood House, read here.

A snapshot of art on display

Over 400 A-level art students have displayed over 400 pieces of artwork at Harewood House over the last ten years, in a schools’ partnership that has grown and flourished during that time. From this month until September, 91 pieces of art of exceptional quality are on display in The Education Suite in The Courtyard, free to view.

At a recent launch, attended by over 200 people including students, their families, tutors and friends, Harewood House Trust Director Jane Marriott and Head Curator Hannah Obee handed out three Highly Commended prizes and one Best in Show, to pupils whose work spanned a broad range of art including photography, design, painting and mixed media.

“By welcoming a new generation of young artists to display their work, in a professional space at Harewood, in an environment that has long been associated with high quality contemporary art and a well-established education programme, we can offer them a chance to succeed.” Said Jane Marriott.

“It is no secret that the Arts have come under significant political and curriculum pressure in recent years, as the focus of successive governments on literacy, maths and science has marginalised its teaching in schools. We therefore wanted to assist the nurturing of a generation of creative and visual thinkers; to develop autonomy, observational and analytical skills.

“It is with great pride and delight that we are able to offer this high-profile platform for local young artists. The chosen pieces of work are of exceptional quality and they inspire not only us, but those who will visit and enjoy them. The Arts matter and the creative industries is one of our most thriving industries. Harewood has, and will, continue to play a vital role in supporting this.”

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13 schools across the Leeds, Harrogate, Ilkley and Otley areas as part of the Red Kite Schools Alliance; Benton Park School, Brigshaw High School, Crawshaw Academy, Harrogate Grammar School, Ilkley Grammar School, Lawnswood School, Malton School, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Ralph Thoresby High School, Rossett School, Roundhay School, South Craven School, Temple Moor High School.

On the passing of acclaimed production designer and art director Michael Howells, whose decades-long career spanned fashion, film and theatre, Harewood House Trust pays tribute to an incredible individual who created an enchanting Christmas experience at Harewood House in 2017. In addition to messages of condolence from the staff at the Trust, Lord Harewood adds;

“Diane and I were very sad to hear of the death of Michael Howells. I knew him by reputation from my time working in TV and then we both got to know him more personally when he designed our magical Victorian Christmas at Harewood last year. His inventiveness, creativity and personal warmth and charm will be sorely missed.”

David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood

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Jane Marriott, Director, Harewood House Trust , presents a cake to volunteer Gill Lord to celebrate the landmark moment.

Over £100,000 has been raised through the sale of second-hand books by the volunteers of Harewood House Trust.

Since the second-hand bookshop opened on site seven years ago, the volunteer booksellers have created an impressive catalogue and collection of books, for all interests and with an average price tag of £1. Every penny of the money they have raised goes back into the work of the charity to protect and promote its three collections of the House, the Gardens and the Bird Garden.

Says Mary, volunteer, “I was one of the pioneers. I helped set up the bookshop and I still enjoy working here now.”

Another volunteer, Paddy, said “I am part of the Bookshop and House team and I enjoy the fact that we come together to share something.”

Jane Marriot, Trust Director, raised a glass to the Booksellers and said “This is an incredible achievement. Your work here is supporting everything that Harewood does as a charity in education and conservation. It is a very tangible contribution to this wonderful organisation.”
The bookshop volunteers also work across different ares of the Trust and are part of a 200-strong group who make a positive contribution to the workings of the charity at Harewood.

To help the Bookshop Volunteers reach their next £100,000, visit the Bookshop and buy or donate a book. All donations of books are grateful received , especially children’s picture books.

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