Michael Burkitt is an alumni of Leeds School of Arts, graduating in 2009. He is now the Founder and Director of fountain arts CIC, a creative arts project which seeks to increase arts engagement in North Lincolnshire. Here, he shares his story. 

Course: BA (Hons) Fine Art and MA Contemporary Art Practice

Why did you choose to study at Leeds Beckett University?

The Leeds Beckett tutors took the time to understand me during an interview and showed a genuine interest in my work. I didn't feel like a number. This is important when considering your university options.

What are your memories of studying at Leeds Beckett?

My memories of Leeds Beckett are rich. I remember working and playing hard. Many hours were spent in studio spaces surrounded by creative people taking risks to create new and interesting things that pushed the boundaries of taste and materials. There was an attitude of getting on with things. If you want an exhibition, just put one on and invite people. I loved how some would make galleries in lockers, others put on themed parties to raise money for materials.

What skills did you learn while studying your BA and MA at Leeds Beckett that have helped you in your career?

On my undergraduate course I learnt the importance of being proactive. Not waiting for opportunities, but going out and getting them. I learnt the importance of routine in the creative process and that academic research supports a creative practice to develop. I had the pleasure of learning from passionate arts educators like Rebekka Kill, Pete Ellis and Simon Ringe, who worked hard every day to ensure we were receiving cutting edge research in contemporary art, bringing in excellent visiting lecturers.

In my second year I had the opportunity to study abroad in Utrecht, The Netherlands and this cultural experience had a profound impact on me as an artist. Being an international student opened my eyes to Europe and I travelled to leading institutions and studios, learning how culture and creativity plays out in different and diverse contexts. 

For my postgraduate course, I learnt the importance of finding brilliant knowledge and sharing it with skill. I studied under a trailblazer of a curator in Peter Lewis, who is a search engine of contemporary art and culture. He embraced me and my work for who and what it was, without trying to imprint a style on it, providing professional opportunities to develop my practice, that I still benefit from today. 

Tell us about how your career got started after you graduated?

After the high of graduation in 2009, the low of starting a career and the challenges you face was very different. However, the resilience I had built at Leeds Beckett prepared me to find creative solutions and apply for opportunities to develop my practice. By 2010 I was featured in an exhibition curated by Ryan Gander called Young British Art in London, before touring to Zurich in 2011.

Can you tell us about how you set up fountain arts CIC and what the work involves?

During the pandemic I moved back to my hometown of Scunthorpe, having become a Dad during the first lockdown. I wanted to find the creative community I left behind at 18 when I moved to Leeds. What I found was a struggling high street and people that want to make things happen. With two friends I met at Leeds Beckett and a local curator we constituted fountain arts CIC in June 2022. Our aim is to increase arts engagement in North Lincolnshire by providing projects, studios and learning. We offer project space that is open all year round, with projects selected by a community panel every three months to ensure relevance and resonance in our community.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

My proudest achievement to date was leading the first ever Foundation Art & Design course in Latin America in 2018. I was inspired by the creativity and thirst for creative learning in Brazil and met some incredible and ambitious people that helped me to broaden my understanding of creativity and its power.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I'm going to cheat and give two pieces of advice because my MA tutor Rory MacBeth gave me two pearls in the same tutorial! I use them daily now as an artist and curator:

1. Trust your gut. 
2. Make sure you can explain what you do at the bus stop, otherwise, you don't know what you are doing. 

You can watch Michael's recent TEDx talk here - ‘The Power of Creativity’.