Laura Dennis

BA (Bristol), MA (Norwich)

Curator of Fine & Decorative Art Collections

College Roles

  • Curator of Fine & Decorative Art Collections

Contact

Telephone: 01223 331704

Email: curator@newn.cam.ac.uk

Biography

Laura Dennis joined Newnham as Curator in 2018, having previously worked at Letchworth Heritage Foundation where she curated a wide range of exhibitions including Alternative Letchworth which explored the Garden City’s radical Edwardian past, and Great & Small: Animals in Craft, an exhibition for children with works from the Crafts Council Collection. Prior to this she worked for ten years curating contemporary art commissions for architecture and public spaces, including St John’s College Oxford, the London Olympic Park, Guy’s Hospital, and the Docklands Light Railway. Laura studied History of Art & Architecture (BA) at the University of Bristol, and Curation (MA) from Norwich University of the Arts. Her MA exhibition Afteryears was drawn from the Arts Council Collection and considered the British art scene in the ‘Age of Austerity’ that followed WW2.

At Newnham, Laura’s role is to care for, display, and promote the College’s Fine and Decorative Art Collection of over 4,000 objects, which includes paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and furniture. Many alumnae and other individuals have donated works of art to Newnham, and the College also commissions and acquires work by contemporary artists. Laura works part-time and is usually in College on Tuesdays and Thursdays.