From the very beginning, learning has been at the core of what we do, integral to our vision and commitment as a gallery. In 2014, we opened our first art center in Somerset, dedicating physical space and resources to a learning program that has since expanded to new locations and communities. As we have grown, our artists have taken up the mission to drive these initiatives forward.
Hear from Manuela Wirth, president and co-founder of Hauser & Wirth, and Debbie Hillyerd, Senior Director of Learning, as they reflect on the origins of our learning program on the occasion of its launch in Hong Kong with an Education Lab conceived by artist Mark Bradford.
Over the past decade, we have partnered with 38 non-profits and supported 21 learning charities, with many of these partnerships still ongoing. These vital initiatives have allowed us to work in tandem with our partners over a sustained period, focusing on increasing career access and professional development in the arts.
‘Partnering with Hauser & Wirth strengthens our commitment to nurturing a sustainable talent pipeline at Bold Tendencies. Through this collaboration, we have built a professional development program where entry-level staff gain paid, hands-on experience, access to invaluable industry insights, and the opportunity to build meaningful networks—paving the way for new voices and fresh perspectives to shape the future of the creative industry.’
MISTY INGHAM, SENIOR CURATOR & PRODUCER: CREATIVE LEARNING, BOLD TENDENCIES, LONDON
The Education Lab is central to our commitment to inclusive learning programs that instigate a dialogue between art, artists and diverse audiences. Since 2021, we have hosted 14 Education Labs globally, each in collaboration with a local community group, school or university. The interactive spaces take their starting point from one of our artists, facilitating a platform for discovery, discussion and additional resources.
‘What continues to stand out to me about the Learning team is the way they really put the young people first. It’s a simple statement, but one that reflects a special ethos and has great impact. It all comes together with education—actually with learning.’
MARK BRADFORD
Sharing stories through art has always helped us connect with our understanding of ourselves and each other. We believe that access to the thinking and making of great artists can inspire reflection and form connections that transcend differences.
‘The studio is really important to generate raw conversations, encourage risky work and open access to art. Practice-based learning is vital for art education.’
HENRY WARD, DIRECTOR OF FREELANDS FOUNDATION
We have welcomed more than 50 artists, curators and writers for residencies in Somerset, from our first artists-in-residence, Pipilotti Rist and Björn & Oddur Roth, to the latest artist-in-residence, Michaela Yearwood-Dan.
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‘When I was first in Somerset ten years ago, we were some of the first artists to be in residence—things were new—but now you can see the traces of other artists also working here; there is paint on the floor that gives the space a life of its own. It is a home-away-from-home, a place to live and work, and it’s great that other people can also experience that.’
ODDUR ROTH
In 2024, we hosted more than 500 learning activities at our galleries worldwide, from community programs and partnerships to exploratory events such as ‘Getting to Know’ and ‘Painters on Painting,’ where creative students and community members engage with the work of contemporary artists.
Our global projects and partnerships are centered around three core pillars: engaging with communities, enriching academic courses; and fostering access to art careers. We look forward to working inside and beyond our gallery locations to reach audiences that recognize art as a vehicle for personal and collective discovery.
Discover the latest Learning news and events.
Excerpts from: Mark Bradford ‘Merchant Posters’ Education Lab, Hauser & Wirth Hong Kong, 2024; Getting to Know: Anj Smith, New York, 22nd Street, 2023; Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Video: Lee Pretious; Students from Escola d’Art de Menorca with Mark Bradford, Hauser & Wirth Menorca, 2021; Painters on Painting: Amy Sherald, 2023; Getting to Know: Angel Otero, Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood, 2024;
Film ‘10 Years of Learning at Hauser & Wirth’ (2024)
‘Echoes of Baldwin’ Creative Learning Program, Bold Tendencies, London, 2024. Photo: Dan John Lloyd; Gary Simmons with Young Creatives from Artistic Noise, Hauser & Wirth Wooster Street, New York, 2024. Photo: onwhitewall.com; ‘School Without Walls,’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh; Opening reception, ‘Hospital Rooms. Digital Art School,’ 2024. Hauser & Wirth London © Hospital Rooms. Photo: Jennifer Moyes; Participants of Drawing All-Stars 3.0 at the exhibition ‘Roni Horn,’ Hauser & Wirth New York, Wooster Street, 2024. Courtesy The Drawing Center. Photo: Filip Wolak; Community Impact Media, Cal State Los Angeles, 2019. Photo: Heather Fipps
Education Lab Workshop with PILAglobal, Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles, 2022. Photo: Sarah M Golonka | smg photography; Education Lab, ‘Going Forward with No Brakes,’ Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles, 2024. Photo: Sarah M. Golonka | smg photography; Learning visit, ‘Louise Bourgeois. Turning Inwards,’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2016. Photo: Unknown; ‘School Without Walls,’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh; Education Lab, ‘Going Forward with No Brakes,’ Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles, 2024. Photo: Sarah M. Golonka | smg photography; Education Lab LA with PILAglobal, Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles, 2022. Photo: Sarah M Golonka | smg photography
Learning Exchange: Community Matters, Hauser & Wirth New York, 18th Street: Photo: onwhitewall.com; Learning Exchange: Art Education Matters, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh; Learning Exchange: Community Matters, Hauser & Wirth New York, 18th Street: Photo: onwhitewall.com
Christina Quarles, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022. Photo: Tara Darby; Rashid Johnson, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2017 © Rashid Johnson. Photo: Mark Pickthall; Catherine Goodman, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2018 © Catherine Goodman. Photo: Clare Walsh; Oddur Roth, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024 © Oddur Roth. Photo: Bjarni Grímsson; Installation view, ‘Zhang Enli: Four Seasons,’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2015 © Zhang Enli. Photo: Jamie Woodley; Bharti Kher, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2017 © Bharti Kher. Photo: Unknown; Thomas J Price, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2021 © Thomas J Price. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke; Arthaus visit Michaela Yearwood-Dan during her residency © Michaela Yearwood-Dan. Photo: Clare Walsh; Katie Spragg, Make Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2023 © Katie Spragg. Photo: Catherine Garcia; Arthaus visit Christina Quarles during her residency at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022 © Christina Quarles. Photo: Clare Walsh; Still from ‘Henry Taylor: In The Studio’ (2021) Dir. Jamie Edmundson © Henry Taylor; Stefan Brüggemann, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022 © Stefan Brüggemann. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke
Students from Inner-City Arts for Getting to Know: Angel Otero, 2024. Photo: Sarah Golonka | smg photography
Excerpts from: Community event, ‘Rashid Johnson. Stranger,’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2017; ‘School Without Walls,’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Video: Lee Pretious; Getting to Know: Thomas J Price, Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles, 2023; Education Lab Residency with Escola d’Art de Menorca in collaboration with PILAglobal, Hauser & Wirth Menorca, 2021 or Students from Escola d’Art de Menorca with Mark Bradford, Hauser & Wirth Menorca, 2021; ‘Retell Again and Again,’ Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School Performance, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2023. Video: Lee Pretious; Getting to Know: Angel Otero, Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood, 2024