Our Job Profiles are designed to describe how those interviewed have reached their current position and for them to give advice to graduates seeking a similar career.
Charlie Kemp, Audience Developer & Participation Project Worker For Lincolnshire One Venues, talks about her role and advice for careers in the arts.
Charlie works in partnership with Lincolnshire One Venues. This involves working in collaboration with four separate arts venues in Lincolnshire, these are The Drill Hall, The LPAC, The Collection/ Usher Gallery and the Terry O’Toole Theatre. As an audience developer and participation project worker, she works with the organisations both individually and county wide with the one aim, to improve engagement. The LOV scheme is aimed at getting more people involved in the art. This is done through promoting shows, finding new participation activities, building links with community groups and developing new strategies in order to raise a profile.
After studying Drama at the University of Hull, Charlie volunteered at the Drill Hall in Lincoln. Through this volunteer work she made invaluable connections and then was able to apply for internal positions when they came available. As a volunteer Charlie developed practical experience by being involved in marketing, outreach and education projects.
Initially when Charlie started the course she wanted to act, however throughout her time at university she realised that her dislike for auditioning would be too much of a barrier. However on this course she learnt about the other elements involved in theatre and became passionate about these. Charlie particularly became interested in outreach and engagement work and how this applied to theatre. Through her dissertation she was also able to focus her interests, the dissertation looked at the role of theatre in the community, the community focus gave her an insight and a knowledge which would then prove invaluable in her role for Lincolnshire One Venues.
Be involved in visits, societies and clubs as it all becomes relevant to your CV, you need to stand apart from all the other people on your course. As arts editor for the University magazine Charlie developed a huge range of skills in writing, editing, proof reading and Photoshop which have proven vital in her current role.
Each day is different as every day is spent visiting a different venue. At the start of each visit Charlie will catch up with the link officer and discuss project developments, brain storming for future projects is also a vital part of this process.
A lot of her time is also allocated to checking emails and ensuring schools are updated on the projects they are involved in. Charlie is also involved in various community projects and volunteer co-ordination.
Volunteering is invaluable, this not only shows your passion and determination but it develops important transferable skills. The work you do through volunteering will considerably improve your CVs and applications.
Students and graduates need to be prepared to be flexible. Take up an internship or a part time position so you can continue your focus. Get yourself out there through volunteering you will develop a stronger network of contacts. Ask the people who are in your industry the right questions and express your ideas. Students need to stand out and stay positive!
In this sector there is no obviously career development route. Talking to colleagues and other people within this industry they have all had completely different ways of getting into it.
Through networking you can get to know people and let people know you are involved and passionate about the industry. Go and see the areas you are interested in, go to workshops and the theatre, or private views for the visual arts.
You can also get involved in wider networking opportunities. The Arts council host free conferences and through this you never know who you could meet. In Lincolnshire particularly you can get involved with the young professionals network and meet other people in a similar situation to yourself.
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