Stockport based Rowlinson Knitwear have launched its first ‘Art in the Workplace’ competition, giving Stockport College’s art students the chance to work on a real-life creative assignment.
Winning entries will displayed at the textile manufacturer’s new multi-million pound UK headquarters at Discovery Park, Stockport.
Conceived following their relocation in December 2017, the competition challenges undergraduates to produce original art reflecting Rowlinson’s employee ownership culture, values of care, trust and be better, and business purpose of “fulfilling potential”.
Entries will be judged by a panel of five employees from across different areas of the business. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 2 March 2018, with the winners announced in mid-March 2018.
Open to Higher Education Graphics, Illustration and Photography students, the winning artworks will be displayed in public areas, meeting rooms and open-plan workspaces at the company’s newly refurbished premises.
Gary Spicer, Head of the Art School at Stockport College, explained,
We get lots of enquiries to engage students in external projects and cannot possibly say yes to all of them. What attracted me to this project was that the promotion of Rowlinson’s core values was central to the creative brief. As a values-focused art school, it feels like a good fit for us and our ethos”.
Donald Moore, Managing Director of Rowlinson, says,
The idea arose from our desire to strengthen our connections with the local community. Running the competition is an innovative way to support the students on their artistic journey, providing an inspiring creative brief to help them build the confidence to tackle commercial projects once they graduate. We’re delighted with the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the students taking place in our first Art in the Workplace competition.”
Neil Ward, Director, comments,
Our choice of art tells the world what we represent and how we act. Just as our homes reflect who we are, our workplace speaks volumes about a company’s values and identity. Exhibiting the winning pieces of art invites culture into our workplace and is a great way to create a positive atmosphere. We are really looking forward to seeing the students’ work and their interpretation of what makes Rowlinson a unique, values-led business.”