No such thing as unrealised potential.

Creative Tourist

At a loose end? Fancy handing over some of your free time to an artist? You’re in the right place: artist Gavin Wade puts a call out for volunteers for his upcoming show at Cornerhouse

How good are your skills of persuasion? Do you fancy your chances in Gavin Wade’s latest project – in which a volunteer asks members of the public to give up a valuable object (such as a purse, mobile phone or even their shoes) in return for a well-thumbed art book?

It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Gavin Wade’s Strategic Questions 2002-2010 has been commissioned as part of the upcoming group exhibition at Cornerhouse, Unrealised Potential. In the work, twenty-odd art books have been placed inside a large cage inside the gallery. The cage is overseen by a guard, whose role it is to persuade visitors to trade something of personal value in return for one of the books (albeit temporarily) – the purpose of the piece being to answer Strategic Question No. 29, ‘what is wealth?’

The guard is in fact a volunteer and, as well as making sure no one nicks anything, he or she has to help visitors choose an appropriate art book, the one most suited to their personality and interests, and then encourages them to sit comfortably and start reading. Once they’ve had their fill, the visitor returns the book, reclaims their valuable object, and goes about their business.

Cornerhouse is now looking for a pool of volunteers to undertake this role. You’ll need to be available for four-hour shifts from 16 July-12 September to take part. Although the posts are unpaid, Cornerhouse will offer travel expenses, training, a script to help you get in character and the chance to write a blog post about your experience for Creative Tourist (for which we are offering a small fee). No previous experience is required although, presumably, a sense of adventure is.

If you have a few spare hours over the summer, email galleryhost at cornerhouse dot org by this coming Monday (12 July) with your CV and a short covering note.

Unrealised Potential runs at Cornerhouse from 17 July (until 12 September). Free entry. Image: illustration of the cage by RELAX/Gavin Wade, courtesy the artists.

Things to Do in Liverpool
Spotlight on

Things to Do in Liverpool

Our guide to the thriving cultural city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Music

We look towards a summer filled with quality festivals, from cultural behemoths to grassroots gems.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House
Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Classical Music

Summer's classical music calendar is filling up nicely! Read our top picks of concerts happening in Manchester and the North.

Gerry Potter (credit Lee Baxter)
Literature

Books are big this summer, with festival readings, poetry slams, creative writing activities and famous faces all putting in an appearance.

Food and Drink

All signs point toward June being a scorcher of a month, so let’s take a look at all things summery food and drink.

Tours and Activities

From literary activities to brilliant independent shops, keep your minds and homes filled with the good stuff this month.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.

Cinema

We look at the ingenious, atmospheric outdoor screenings popping up across the North this summer.