Arts administration: access for all?

So today marks my first anniversary working for Actors Touring Company. That's right I have worked for a whole year as a full-time arts administrator. It still hasn't quite sunk in because for a long time I thought getting my solid year of experience under my belt would never happen. This is because the market is beyond competitive and graduating in 2009, in the middle of the 'economic crisis', didn't help matters either. This landmark has made me take a moment to consider how I have got to this moment in time and how accessible the arts truly are. 

Nowadays it is standard practice for an individual to do an internship before gaining an entry-level job. The title entry-level job really annoys me since it is all lies. There is no job that a graduate can just enter having finished University with no experience. Well maybe there is but I haven't met a person my age in the arts that has managed to do so yet. The industry has become overrun with internships and everyone has an opinion on them. People feel that it is necessary to gain experience in an industry before you get a job. There are those who think they paid their dues in the beginning so they think everyone else should. However, in the never ending' economic crisis' that we have been in the industry have been seen to exploiting interns. Posts are being filled by interns rather than recruiting a new employee. I so often see full-time internships or 6-month part-time internships. The situation got so drastic that last year ArtsJobs took a stance and banned the advertising of internships. 

My issue with internships in the arts in particular is that it is limiting those who are able to work in the sector. Arts Council England are constantly saying their aim is to make the arts accessible and for everyone. Recent years has seen a focus on diversity and young people. The arts as a whole are trying to encourage more people to take part. However, really and truly, for there to be a diverse audience there needs to be diverse management. Internships is stopping the diversity. Instead, pursuing a career in arts management is for the privileged or the stupid (I class myself as the latter). To do an internship you have to either have saved prior, have someone financially supporting you or put yourself into debt, whilst often living in awful conditions. Now I understand the need for people to gain experience but this can be done through voluntary work that allows a person to have a job at the same time paying for them to live. 

The worse thing is internships are so competitive and it doesn't guarantee you getting a job afterwards. I had interned for two companies, had part time experience, volunteered numerous hours to the sector and it still took me 8 months to get a job. Even now over 18 months after graduating from my Masters in Arts Administration I know of numerous individuals who have been unable to secure jobs. This are highly intelligent individuals, with a relevant qualification, as well as the essential internships behind them. 

I am not naive and I am aware that for as long as the industry can get away with it legally internships will still be offered. However, people need to stop pretending they are giving people opportunities. Just be honest that it is free labour and is ensuring that the next generation of managers are the fortunate. 

Wild Swans

Last night I went to see Wild Swans at Young Vic. Wild Swans is a worldwide bestseller memoir written by Yung Chan. It seemed the popularity of the book had translated to amazing audiences.  It was press night for Wild Swans and the house was full. As a co-production between Young Vic, American Repertory Theater and Actors Touring Company, this is the second half of the productions journey, which started its run in Boston and the American Repertory Theatre. Having met Yung Chan and heard so much about the show in the office I was excited to see what the final show live.

When we entered the performers were already on the stage bustling about in a very condensed stage that was covered in soil. There was a strong spell in the air, which made me instantly remember Shared Experience's A Passage To India.  I wondered if this would be the set for the entire night, but with each new act there was a scene change. I have to say it was the most remarkable scene changes I have even seen. Everything happens before the audience's eyes but with precision and seamless choreography. The scene changes were pieces of art in themselves and my favourite was when all of sudden the stage was covered in water. I hadn't noticed it entering so it felt magical.

I haven't read Wild Swans so I have no idea whether the adaptation by Alexandra Wood did the memoir justice. However, I was just shocked because everything I had read about the memoir had suggested it tracking three generations of women. Yet, throughout the play it felt that the male husband/father character was the main thread. Prehaps it was felt that story was the most compelling or it was the best way to have a coherent through-line. When adapting a memoir that many have told me is large enough to be used as a door stop, it is clear that considerable cuts will have to be made.

Overall, I enjoyed Wild Swans it was an interesting story that raised issues about class, capitalism and communism without appearing to force a particular stance. I am sure this will depend on who an audience member felt empathy for. However, at the heart it appeared to be about belief and standing up for what you believed no matter what. This is a theme that transcends both China's history and politics in general. It is a theme that effects every one of us as we go about our lives doing what is right.