Claudia Zeiske CV

PhD by Public Output Philosophy: Gray’s School of Art, RGU, Aberdeen

MSc in Social Anthropology: Freie Universität Berlin, University of London

BSc in Economics: Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft, Berlin

Nationality: British, German

Claudia Zeiske is a Curator, Cultural Activist and Art Walker who gained her experience in arts management over many years through working both in the UK and internationally. She is the founding Director (1995-2021) of Deveron Projects where the ‘town is the venue’ rather than a gallery or arts centre. Coming from Social Anthropology, she has worked here with over 100 artists from all over the world on projects of community concern; developing a unique curatorial practice based on a balanced approach between artistic criticality and community involvement with visions for bringing local issues onto a global level.

Claudia’s track record relates to the development and commissioning of a wide range of artistic outputs. She has collaborated with many organisations across Scotland including the National Galleries of Scotland/Duff House, the Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Peacock visual arts, Royal Scottish Academy and has set up the acclaimed Artists at Glenfiddich programme in rural Speyside. 

Since leaving Deveron Projects in 2021, she is developing her free-lance practice Place/Art/Folk, advising creative organisations and practitioners on all levels of development. With a focus on creating friendships she employs people & place specific cultural practices. To summarize this work and methodology she has co-written the book ARTocracy and recently undertook further research on those unique approaches applied in the rural small town context through Grays School of Art/Aberdeen. This led to a toolkit for sustainable arts development in the rural context based on a set of administrative and curatorial principles.

A good team worker, she has a reputation for motivating and enthusing people of all ages and backgrounds. She has been a board member at numerous organisations, to include engage Scotland.

Claudia believes in a world without borders. She is a devout European who has lived in multiple countries across Europe and beyond, bringing an extensive international cultural network with her. 

Interlinked with her freelance practice, she is now increasingly engaging with her work as an Art Walker. As an active member of the Walking Artist Network she has undertaken and arranged a range of walking arts projects over the past 10 years to investigate current socio-cultural issues with hospitality and friendship at heart.

Small Print:

Co-Author (with Nuno Sacramento): ARTocracy: hand book for in collaborative practice; www.jovis.com

Languages: German/English/Dutch (fluent); Ki-Swahili/French/Italian/Spanish (conversational)

3 x Winner of Arts & Business award

Instigator: Creative Place Award for Huntly 2012 and 2013; Gulbenkian Civic Arts Award nomination 2021 

Huntly Citizen of the Year (2013)

WalkListenCreate: Winner of Prose/Writer in Residence (2021/2)

Walking Leader Award Certificate

Languages:
German/English (excellent); Dutch (very good); Ki-Swahili/French/Italian/Spanish (conversational)

Co-Author:
ARTocracy a hand book for in collaborative practice; www.jovis.com, Berlin

Awards
Winner of Arts and Business international award with Glenfiddich Distillery
Creative Place Award winner for Huntly 2012 (Special Judges Award) and 2013 (main prize)
Huntly Citizen of the Year (2013)

Professional interest:
art & community; art & heritage

Personal Interests:
Walking, travelling, cooking, gardening