University of Lincoln Careers & Employability

Initially Janie worked as social worker and then later retrained as a nurse. After completing her cert ed post graduate qualification she taught as a lecturer for ten years focusing on early years development. Even though this was not the most conventional route for a head of learning position this mixture social work experience and education research made her the ideal candidate for this position.

Janie also had a deep personal interest in the arts so when the Learning officer position came up at the HUB this seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine interests.

A large amount of Janie’s time is dedicated to checking emails and dealing with enquires, especially from schools. Janie is also always thinking about the next exhibitions and future workshops, in April the learning team will be running workshops on Easter and spring, but already be thinking about Christmas hats and snowmen. Timetabling and events co-ordination is a major part of this role, from checking room availability to writing press releases.

In order to prepare for the next programme of workshops and events Janie will be looking for freelance artists to be involved. Some of these artists will be contacted through research while others are found through an open call for artists. The Hub has a strong network of artists they are working with and will call on the same freelancers for different projects. After contact with the artist and a proposal has been submitted Janie will meet with them in order to discuss paper work, crb check and public liability.

The learning team are responsible for ensuring the workshops and the exhibitions link and work within the theme, while also catering for each school visit and their curriculum.  In order to do this Janie is involved in directors meetings, team meetings, programme meetings and budget meetings.

Trips to galleries are also a major part of Janie’s research alongside involvement with Engage (The National Association for Gallery Education).

Networking is crucial to this role, it is important to develop a relationship and connection with local schools, primary care trusts and Universities. The Hub currently have connections with Lincoln, Derby and Nottingham University.

In this industry networking is crucial. It is who you know not what you know the majority of the time. The Hub has a strong network with their artists schools and other community groups, always putting them as the first priority.

Practical work experience and work placements are vital. Try and get an internship, but if this is not possible volunteer as much as you can as this will prove invaluable.

Qualifications are not always as important as practical experience, start off as an invigilator in order to get a strong understanding of the industry and the business, through this you will make contacts. The Hub recognises qualifications and skills within all members of their staff and there could be room for development from any position. Make the most of volunteer opportunities whilst studying and get involved in the local arts scene. Volunteers are always needed in the gallery to help with gallery changeover, get in touch with all the galleries in the area and follow up any unanswered enquires. Volunteering for the exhibition changeover will allow students or graduates to get a foot in the door and meet with artists.

If students or graduates are interested in arts education they need to not only volunteer within the arts but also get work experience in schools. They can also find more about this area of work through the Engage website. A PGCE course can be a way into this but a Masters course in gallery based education might be more focused and appropriate.

The Tate modern also offer teaching courses for teachers, artists and arts educators.  http://www.tate.org.uk/learning/teachers/

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