IF you want to find the point where the arts and higher education meet, then come to The New School House Gallery in York.

The contemporary art and craft gallery, run by Robert Teed and Paula Jackson in Peasholme Green has formed such strong links with academic institutions both within Yorkshire and nationally that the co-directors are seeking the Best Business and Higher Education Link title in The Press Business Awards 2011.

Over the past year the gallery has:

• organised its second annual exhibition of undergraduate and graduate work called 53 Degrees North scheduled for August with the help of Arts Council funding. Last year students from 17 different institutions were selected to exhibit

• offered Artist in Residence opportunities for undergraduates – a two-week posting for talented graduate artists at a significant transitional point in their fledgling careers. Last year Hannah Lovett, the Manchester Metropolitan University graduate who won the 53 Degrees North exhibition was chosen. Her residency was the subject of a paper to the Victoria and Albert Museum

• presented showcases of MA Fine Art work by York St John University postgraduates and BA Craft work by York College graduates

• collaborated with the University of York’s Centre for Applied Human Rights to create a cultural programme, focus for an I Am Human exhibition last January and

• devised an intern scheme for students from the University of York’s History of Art faculty.

All these activities help to drive Robert and Paula Jackson’s vision – of turning The New School House Gallery into one of the most significant independent galleries in the UK.