Title Information Manager
Organisation Voluntary Arts Network
How long in post? 4 years
t: 029 2039 5395 e: ginny@voluntaryarts.org
What does your organisation do?
VAN is the UK development agency for the voluntary arts. It promotes participation in the arts and crafts, recognising that the arts are a key part of our culture.
What does your job involve?
? managing the Information Service including strategy and policy development, servicing an editorial group and information committee, and co-ordinating information work across the England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales offices
? researching and gathering information
? providing advice and information to members and the public
? writing, editing and producing briefings, articles and the newsletter; and managing all aspects of the website and developing electronic information services.
Who did you used to work for?
? teacher and career counsellor at black township schools in South Africa
? National Magazines, Syndication Department ? Assistant Editor, pictures and features (then went back to college when I was 32 to do a 4 year Fine Art Degree.)
? counsellor, Community Alcohol Team
? freelance writer and researcher with clients in the arts, financial and I.T. (someone has to!) sectors
What do you enjoy most about your role?
? making complicated information understandable and squeezing this into a limited space
? minding answers to obscure and difficult queries
? being immersed in issues related to the arts and artists
What do you find most difficult in your role?
Endlessly having to convince policy-makers that the arts are fundamental to our existence (when it?s so obvious!); and the ridiculous time/money constraints imposed by project funding.
What is your career ambition?
To provide a cutting edge support service for artists and arts organisations, including information, training, coaching, mentoring and peer support groups.
Who has most influenced your career to date the most and why?
Friends: J, who lost 2 children, for revealing the power of courage, patience and humour; V, for commitment to making art and compromising security to do it; P, for bringing kindness and generosity to the workplace and reminding me always that there are many views on the world; my boss for tenacity and optimism!
If you could have done any job, what would it be?
A balanced lifestyle, not a job ? p/t artist and p/t counsellor/coach/facilitator in the arts (I will do it!)
What are your wishes for the future of the arts?
? eradication of elitism in the arts
? that it is taken for granted that the arts are fundamental to the creation of a healthy, happy and economically stable society
? with 1 and 2 in place ? automatically more resources and support for anyone to take part in the arts