Ruskin To-Day is an informal organisation that exists to celebrate the life and ideas of the artist, critic and social reformer John Ruskin (1819-1900). It brings together the activities of the many different societies, academic institutions and individuals who share an interest in Ruskin and in the many different aspects of his work. This website serves as a noticeboard to draw attention to the many Ruskinian events that place across the world.
Since most activities are currently suspended, so is the calendar. However, we are beginning to get news of possible openings, and will be glad to publicise them once they become definite. Please take a look at the links to the many organisations that make up the Ruskin community.
News:
Brantwood has a new acquisition!
Thanks to the generosity of the Whitehouse Trust, and the perspicacity of Dr Nicholas Shrimpton, who spotted the picture, Brantwood has acquired this portrait of John James Ruskin’s sister (and Ruskin’s aunt), Jessie Ruskin, attributed to George Watson.
Brantwood is delighted to have been awarded a substantial Culture Recovery Grant by ACE & DCMS.
The funds will support Brantwood through the winter and allow it to adapt its operations to open the main house, which is currently closed. During the latest national lockdown Brantwood is obliged to close all its facilities to the public. We are very sorry about this, and look forward to welcoming our visitors back as soon as we possibly can.
The Ruskin Society of North America
Sara Atwood and Jim Spates are pleased to announce the establishment of a new Ruskin organization: the Ruskin Society of North America. This non-profit (501c3) organization will promote Ruskin’s work and ideas through the creation and implementation of educational programs, conferences and lectures, art exhibitions, and cultural outreach. Our purposes are to develop local programs and projects that adapt and apply Ruskin’s ideas about education, the environment, and the arts; to draw people together in collaboration to improve and enrich their communities; to support creative enterprises and the work of craftspeople; to promote respect for and engagement with the natural world and provide opportunities for positive and productive experiences with nature, particularly for young people. We look forward to fruitful collaboration with other Ruskin-related organizations as we work together to put Ruskin’s principles into practice.
Inquiries about membership and other questions are welcome. Please contact Jim (SPATES@hws.edu) and Sara (sara.atwood@icloud.com). Twitter (@RuskinSocietyNA) and Instagram (ruskinsocietyna)
