Zoe Dunbar, the new Director of the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, takes us through the steps of her career path.
Administration Assistant, Tate Britain (2000 – 2001)
After graduating with a degree in Fine Art from University of Leeds, this was my first step on the ladder, and what a great place to start! I was based in the education department, working on the children’s art trolleys and the adult events programme. This position gave me a true insight into developing artistic programmes for audiences and kicked off my passion for working with the visuals arts. It was a basic role, but probably one of the most important I would do – it gave me an ‘in’ and valuable experience within one of the most famous institutions in the art sector. A few years later I also completed a curatorial internship at Tate Modern.
Gallery Intern, White Cube (2001 – 2002)
I knew I wanted to break into contemporary art and this seemed like the best place to start – a place where I could make the right connections. My time at White Cube saw me work on a Luc Tuymans’ show and support the team in artist liaison. It was my first experience of working directly with contemporary artists in a gallery setting and taught me the complexities of building relationships and maintaining them.
Gallery Intern, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen (2002)
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is an amazing gallery positioned on the coast just outside Copenhagen in a small town called Humlebæk. It is surrounded by contemporary sculpture and even has its own beach! My main role was writing interpretation around the gallery's film collection and it was here I learnt about the greats such as Nam June Paik, Paul McCarthy and Pipilotti Rist.
Exhibitions Administrator, Royal College of Art (2001 – 2006)
Working at the Royal College of Art was a life-changing experience. A hub of creativity, it was the best place to learn about curating exhibitions and overcoming the practical challenges of exhibition installation. Students were constantly pushing the parameters of the building and the budgets. I also started freelance curating during this time.
Access and Learning Manager, The British Postal Museum & Archive (2006 – 2008)
In 2004, to broaden my knowledge and expertise, I studied for an MA in Museum Studies at University College London, and shortly after I moved into the world of museums. At the British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) in London’s King’s Cross, I delivered the public programme, from exhibitions through to events, learning and marketing. Through its unique collection, from stamps to post boxes, I got a sound foundation in collections management. And, as a small site where all projects are done in partnership with other institutions, BPMA taught me a lot about partnership working – its benefits and pitfalls!
Head of Exhibitions, Imperial War Museum North (2008 – 2014)
I started at Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) as an Exhibitions Manager in 2008 and was promoted to Head of Exhibitions in 2013. Housed in an iconic building designed by Daniel Libeskind, IWM North is one of very few museums whose architectural concept (a globe shattered by conflict) connects with its remit. I worked on the museum's Reactions artist intervention programme, which enabled me to combine my museum studies and visual art knowledge. It was here, working with an amazing team, that I learnt all I know about audience development. I also worked on the museum’s masterplanning project to ‘re-imagine’ the museum going forwards, which was an amazing opportunity. But there was always an itch for me to move back into the art world.
Director, Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (2014 – present)
The Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA), positioned in the creative hub that is the Northern Quarter in Manchester, has a proud 29-year history of bringing Chinese contemporary art to UK audiences. I am very lucky to be leading an arts organisation with such a great and longstanding reputation in visual arts at such an interesting time in China’s cultural development.
CFCCA was founded to support and develop emerging artists, which is something I believe very strongly in. This role combines all the things that I enjoy about working in the arts – working with cutting edge artists and using art to make sense of the changing, shaping world. The role is varied and hands on, from curating and audience development to building management and income generation. It involves all the things I have learnt on my career path, but with enough stretch to keep me interested and challenged on a daily basis.
I wouldn’t have got to this point were it not for those who offered me volunteering and internship opportunities. In such a competitive field, this experience is so important and something we take very seriously at CFCCA.
Zoe Dunbar is Director of the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art.
www.cfcca.org.uk