The Animator project was an exchange of skills, experience and knowledge between students and artist practitioners;  providing a bridge between university education and independent work – between theory and practice. The project ran throughout 2007 and culminated in a final event in Warsaw April 2008. The exchange began in February 2007, with young Polish artists and cultural animators taking up the opportunity to meet with and work alongside experienced West Midlands based practitioners.

They then developed their ideas for practical projects in Poland throughout the summer of 2007, followed by participation in The Wonders of Warsaw project in the autumn. A Wonders project was also produced with the Art Institute at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. The final event launched four books documenting different aspects of the project. As part of the event the Wonders work was shown in Jacek Kauron school in Praga, on the right bank of the Vistula - view the exhibition panels here.

The introduction to the Wonders of Warsaw book can be downloaded here. It’s in English and Polish.

A spin off from the project is an exchange  between the Institute of Polish Culture at Warsaw University and the Creative Communities Unit at Staffordshire University in Stoke. As part of this two groups of young artists will be visiting Birmingham to undertake project work in 2009.

For more information, visit www.culturalanimation.com