About the IIRG

The Institute for International Research in Glass (IIRG) was launched in June 1998 with the aim to promote and facilitate research in glass at a national and international level, building on both the rich heritage of glass making that began on Wearside in 674 AD, and the creative and scholarly activity that informs and underpins the vision of glass at the University of Sunderland's Glass Department's impressive studios at the National Glass Centre which is situated on the banks of the River Wear, Sunderland, UK.

The promoting and facilitating of commissioned works, establishing of residencies, organising of master classes and workshops, and curating of major exhibitions accompanied by quality publications all form important strands in IIRG¿s development, and provide an interface between the highest level of practitioners with artists, designers and the public. IIRG also provides a focus for information about historical glass practice and an international forum for debate and enquiry on all issues in glass.   IIRG has the knowledge and expertise of an international body of staff, ranging across theory, material technology and a variety of approaches to practice and curation.

The University is recognised as a UK glass research and prototype production resource.  It has a substantial range of equipment, including uniquely in a creative workshop a CAD waterjet cutter (EU funded), Large Kiln/ research workshop (SRIF ii), Print Studio/Light Lab (SRIF iii), with supporting staff.  Integrated to Reach-out and knowledge transfer, each year some 40 artists in various ways 'Reach-in' to our facilities (e.g. Mark Dion, Stefan Gec, Richard Wright).  UK/international researchers from other HEIs undertake projects and enrich our research programme/culture.  Several of the researchers are not glass specialists e.g. Catherine Byron, AHRC Creative Fellow (Poetry) Nottingham University and Emeritus Professor Canrad Atkinson, University of California.

IIRG has developed a close relationship with glass networks in Czech/Slovak republics, Scandinavia, Hungary, Germany, Japan, Australia and the USA.  Artists and scholars contribute to an international programme.  Collaborations also exist with: Toyama Institute for Glass (Japan) , Ohio State University (USA), Konstfackskolan (Sweden), Academy of Arts (Czech).  We are building special relationships with c5-7 World HEIs.  Relationships are ongoing with Pilchuck (USA), Cohesion, Northlands Creative Glass and AusGlas.  The museum sector is also connected through the V&A Museum, Corning Glass Museum (USA) Smalands Museum (Sweden), the Finnish Glass Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts Prague.  The glass industry is also represented through established contacts, such as Pilkington, Iittala/Nuutajarvi Glassworks (Finland), Ajeto Glassworks, Lhotsky - Pelechov, Zelezny Bro (Czech), Bullseye Glass (USA), Orrefors/Kosta Boda Glassworks (Sweden).  We are presently negotiating the first visit of the Glass Art Society conference to the UK to Sunderland in 2010.

Aims & Objectives

• To develop new knowledge relevant to contemporary glass practice, and to explore diverse means of disseminating that information. through exhibitions, residencies, master classes, workshops, and publications to provide an interface between high level practice in glass and other artists, students and the public.
• To offer a forum for debate and inquiry on contemporary and historical issues in glass.
• To foster the development of Postgraduate research degrees in Glass.
• To maintain a website with international links to other glass institutions and organisations
• To provide a research focus complementary to the 'National Glass Centre' (NGC) in Sunderland , UK.

Projects

• Projects include conferences, seminars, workshops, master classes, summer schools, publications, exhibitions, the curation of exhibitions, short and long-term residencies, consultancy, project management and commissions, specialist training, national prizes for young artists, and facilitation of glass usage of new technologies.