Three arts professionals in the early stages of their careers describe their experiences on the first rungs of the arts job ladder.
Sarah Butler is a freelance arts project manager, consultant and writer.
If there is one thing Ive learnt in the course of my own career, its that no one in the arts got where they are today in the same way as anyone else. It is a dynamic and exciting sector to be in and there arent any rules about how to get there, but here are some thoughts about how get that first foot on the ladder, and start climbing.
" Be passionate
Passion and energy cant be overestimated. I was interviewed for the post of literature development officer for Leicester City Council straight out of university. I had done a smattering of voluntary work organising literature events but had no paid work experience. I got the job on pure energy and enthusiasm. Its not rocket science: people who are passionate about their work are more likely to persuade other people to work with them, fund them and talk about them.
" Develop appropriate skills
Most of the skills needed to work successfully in the arts are transferable from other sectors the ability to communicate, manage, work effectively with people, build partnerships, present convincing arguments and manage finances, to name a few. There are courses in arts management and arts administration that can help equip you with skills and knowledge. However, its also worth identifying the key skills needed for your dream job, and considering a non-arts job to get those skills on your CV.
" Get yourself known
Most of the people working in the arts have done some voluntary work. You cant lose: you get great stuff on your CV, you develop appropriate skills, you can work out what kind of work youre best suited to and have fun along away. You will also get yourself known. People remember enthusiastic new faces.
Join appropriate networks: the National Association of Literature Development is a networking organisation for literature workers (www.nald.org.uk) and similar organisations exist for different artforms. Get yourself along to networking events. Contacts I made years ago as a new literature worker in Leicester proved invaluable when I took the plunge and became freelance this year. Once you are known, opportunities will arise and people will connect your name to them.
" Be creative
When I was at school and university, a career in the arts didnt seem to be on the radar of any careers adviser I ever spoke to. Things have changed, and there is now scope to generate your own work in the arts, from setting up your own business, to applying for Arts Council funding (now available to individuals as well as companies/charities) for a project youre passionate about. Again, get into the appropriate networks and work out what advice, contacts and funding are available.
Most careers are an organic process of luck, timing, determination and personal relationships, but these things you can do to smooth your path. Nurture your belief both in the area you want to work in, and in yourself, and never lose your enthusiasm! n
w: http://www.sarahbutler.org.uk;
e: sjbutler100@hotmail.com.
Kyriaki Karadelis is a Marketing Intern at Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Despite a multitude of qualifications and a fair amount of relevant voluntary work, as a 21-year-old graduate hoping for a career in the cultural sector, I found a lack of professional experience often let me down at the first hurdle. However, in the six months since starting an Arts Marketing Internship with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), I have not only gained this much coveted experience, but been allowed to cultivate my interests and better recognise my strengths, giving my early career a valuable boost. Two candidates myself and my colleague Rebecca are under 12- to 18-month contracts: by offering a small but formal salary this scheme closes the difficult gap between short-term, unpaid work experience and full employment.
BSO treats us as any other employee, with responsibilities and a certain amount of decision-making freedom. The role covers a broad spectrum of strategic, creative and policy-related duties everything from assisting with the logistical operations for large events to running a busy box office, analysing sales figures, managing website content and public relations and implementing direct marketing campaigns. Recently, we have even been allocated our own budget to produce a series of promotional photo-shoots for the Orchestras summer outdoor concerts.
Key to the success of the placement has been the BSOs willingness to invest in us. We attended the South West Arts Marketing conference, and being fresh out of academia, it was enlightening for us to see how much research goes into identifying the best audience development techniques, and raising the profile of culture in society. Crucially, the BSO has encouraged us to pursue our special interests. Rebeccas was drawn to the education and community departments work, and as a result she has been put in charge of producing a bi-monthly promotional leaflet detailing the BSOs achievements in this field. Having enjoyed creative writing for media and publicity, I was supported to attend a press training day with Arts Council South West, and in researching and writing an article for the members quarterly magazine on the Orchestras recent performance for a Charlie Chaplin film.
Above all, now that I have found a clear inroad, I have that sense of relief that comes with finally being able to see the direction in which my career might unfold: from the first rung, the rest of the ladder seems much more tangible.
t: 01202 644718;
e: kkaradelis@bsorchestra.co.uk
Adrienne Frances is Education & Outreach Team Assistant for Wolverhampton Arts & Museums.
When I was young, among other things, I wanted to be a farmers wife (I could play with the animals), a librarian (I could read all day) and a graphic designer (but my inability to draw a straight line might cause a lot of unnecessary stress). On completing my BA, I was still expecting to be struck with a clear view of what I was meant to do with my career. Others who graduated with me had already taken steps towards a solid career many were taking teaching qualifications, which in my mind guaranteed an enviable job for life. But I opted for volunteer work providing creative workshops for the mental health charity MIND. This was my first taste of working with diverse community groups, and I was hooked. After 18 months, I relocated and was shortlisted for a job at the local art gallery. I didnt get that job, but was offered casual employment. Nearly a year later I am still there. Despite this amazing opportunity, I find it hard to look ahead. It would be easy to immerse myself in the museum and gallery sector, pursue an MA, perhaps one day become a curator. But this sector is full of overqualified, underpaid workers. Without a post-graduate qualification theres slim chance of even a £15k job. I thought that a degree was supposed to guarantee a decent salary, but even an MA no longer guarantees that in this industry. When I try to explain this to my friends who work in other sectors they refuse to believe me. As for me, I still dont know for certain what I want to be when I grow up.