New Dean appointed to Gray's School of Art

Dr Dan Allen brings a wealth of experience in higher education, most recently as Head of the Bath School of Art Film and Media, where his teaching specialisms centre around Fine Art, Sculpture and Ceramics.

Dan is a passionate advocate of the arts and has a deep appreciation of the role an arts education offers to individuals, society, and the economy, and is an active member of CHEAD (Council for Higher Education in Art & Design). He has held various roles in academia including External Expert for Art and Design at the University of Wales and numerous External Examiner duties in the UK and Ireland. 

In addition to his substantive track-record in higher education, Dan is a practicing artist, educator, curator, writer, and critic. With a passion for ceramics, he is most recognised for his figurative ceramics which he exhibits internationally. 

As Founding Director of Fireworks Clay Studios in Cardiff, the largest co-operative of its kind in Europe, Dan has successfully run an artist co-operative, where he supported early-career ceramicists by offering specialist facilities, studio space, and professional advice.

He has also led a number of formal partnerships between academic institutions, business and industry. He is a steering group member of WEVAA (West of England Visual Arts Alliance), and has represented the Arts Council England and Crafts Council at international conferences and symposiums. 

During his role as Director of Fireworks Clay Studios, Dan also successfully led a number of funding bids, receiving grants from the Arts Council, Millennium Lottery, Wales Arts International and the Crafts Council UK. He also established an international artist fellowship scheme in collaboration with a number of funding bodies and arts organisations.

Dan Allen said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as Dean for Gray’s School of Art.  As one of the most influential and oldest multidisciplinary Art Schools in Scotland, it is an incredible honour to be taking on this role from Libby Curtis.

“I am particularly passionate about the civic role art schools play in society and how they can be a civic force for good.  When applying for this position, I was particularly impressed by the outstanding contribution Gray’s makes to society, through initiatives such as Guest at Gray’s, the mobile art school, and through its creative unit, Look Again. I look forward to working with the Gray’s community to build upon this success and to continue enhancing students’ awareness about the positive impact of art on society.”

RGU’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Olivier, has welcomed Dan Allen’s appointment as the new Dean for Gray’s School of Art.

He said: “We are delighted to welcome Dan Allen as the new Dean for Gray’s School of Art. Dan brings a wealth of experience in higher education as demonstrated through his leadership as Head of Bath School of Art, Film and Media, and through his advocacy for arts education as a leading contributor of the Arts Council England and Crafts Council, and Founding Director of the Fireworks Clay Studios.

“As part of Gray’s curriculum, students are encouraged to explore contemporary art and design practice through the lens of their societal impact and to consider how they can help contribute towards society’s challenges such as sustainability, community and social cohesion and health and well-being. I have no doubt that under Dan’s leadership, he will continue to strengthen the school’s ethos, and by doing so, support our University’s commitment to positively enhance the economic, social and cultural development of those we serve.”

Dan has a PhD in Art and Art Studies from the Bath Spa University and a Master of Arts in Ceramics and a BA in Ceramics from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Dan will take over as the new Dean of Gray’s in December, as Libby Curtis steps down after a 31-year association with the school.