The Professionals – Fiona McDougall

Title Project Manager

Name of Organisation Vital Arts

How long in present post? 3 months

Address The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, E1 1BB

Email [email protected]

What does your organisation do?
An arts-in-health project working with St Bartholomew?s Hospital and The London NHS Trust to create high quality healthcare environments, improve healthcare delivery and widen access to the arts.

What does your current job involve?
My role involves commissioning artists to work with user groups across the Trust in the design of the healthcare environment. This includes incorporating art into the fabric of existing buildings and new buildings. I also contribute towards the exhibition programme, which runs at three monthly intervals on two sites at Barts and The Royal London Hospital. Additionally I work on The Vital Arts Club, an initiative that encourages staff members to participate in the arts.

Who did you used to work for and what did you do?
Project Manager for nva organisation, the leading site specific event company. Project Manager for Suspect Culture, the Glasgow based theatre company. Project Manager for UZ Ltd, an event production company.

What do you enjoy most about your present post?
The variety and everyday interaction with the hospital environment: it?s a small city!

What do you find most difficult in your present post?
Lack of time and money.

What is your career ambition?
To continue to work on interesting arts projects.

Who has influenced your career to date the most ? and why?
My parents, because they both have a strong work ethic.

If you could have done any job in the world, what would you like to have done?
Robbie Williams? PA

If you have three wishes for the future of the arts, what would they be?
? Percentage for art for all new public buildings
? Transparency between government policy and the funding/directives of ACE
? Closer links between regional authorities and regional arts councils