One day women will rule the world

This week I was delighted when English National Ballet announced that their new Chief Executive was Karen Napier. With a strong history in the arts industry, working for Rambert Dance Company, English National Opera and the Southbank Centre Hayward Gallery, Karen had spent the last 4 years as Associate Dean, Advancement at London Business School. 

Having a female Chief Executive has filled me with joy. I still remember the day I asked Alistair Spalding how he felt about being a male Chief Exec with a workforce that was heavily female dominated. I'm not a feminist that is stating that every company should have a female Chief Exec, but it just alarms in that in the arts, where work forces are largely female, there is still a heavy male presence at the top. Name a few of the most influence London arts organisations and their Chief Executive or Managing Director.

Barbican - Sir Nicholas KenyonSadler's Wells - Alistair SpaldingTate Modern - Sir Nicholas SerotaRoyal Ballet - Kevin O’Hare

Male, male, male and male! 

Well I can't wait for February the 1st and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work at with Karen and hopefully picking up some tips for how to be a successful business woman. 

A Month as Marketing Manager

They say that "times flies when you are having fun" and it sure does! This month has been a whirlwind and I seriously do not know where the time has gone. It's crazy to think just over a month ago I walked into Jay Mews on my first day full of anxiety and anticipation. Marketing is something I have always been passionate about, but seemed like a dream career that I wouldn't be able to break into. Being business minded I love how results orientated marketing is. You can measure your success and tell if you are doing a job. My mission is simple - get bums on seats and the more bums the better. 

I was ecstatic when I was offered the job of Marketing Manager. Not only was I getting the chance to solely focus on marketing but it was with a touring company and a dance company. For me I don't think there could be a better combination (unless Kiss or MTV comes along).

So far the reality is still as great as the fantasy. The works hard and the commutes long but I love it! I think the most exciting thing is working for a company that has a brand. I'm not talking a logo that gets puts on everything but an actual brand personality. There are prescribed fonts, palette and templates for everything under the sun. Yes it is prescriptive and some would say restrictive, limiting or controlling, but at least it means there is a cohesive message coming from the organisation. It feels like working for any other business rather than an organisation, which is a refreshing change. So one month in and I am still as excited to get up in the morning as my first day. Here is to next month :)

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. 

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Last week I was lucky enough to leave England and visit Scotland for the first time. As I sat on the 4.5 hour train journey from London to Edinburgh, I couldn't help but question why I was leaving dry London for wet, wet Scotland in the middle of Summer. Even now I am not sure why so many theatrical people would choose to spend the best month of the year in a place that is wetter and colder than England.

I imagine what drives people is that unique experience. Anyone who is anyone is in Edinburgh and although I felt moving to London I was where everything was happening, I was wrong! Everything is happening in Edinburgh. On arriving in one day I watched two of my ex-freshers performing and then an ex-manager. I mean only in Edinburgh would that happen. The numerous theatrical faces I bumped into that I hadn't seen in London for ages. To be honest, it was a little bit freaky.

The amount of stuff to see was overwhelming and if you are not that into reading reviews how do you choose? Well I went for love, bit more love and what I thought would be glitz and glamour. The beauty of Edinburgh was the fact you can see dance, theatre, musicals, live art and comedy... oh yes COMEDY! Now anyone who knows me, knows that I can't be bothered with comedy and Edinburgh is full of it, with every second someone giving you a flyer for a 2 for 1 on a comedy night. I couldn't think of anything worse.

Leaving Edinburgh after four days I was exhausted and I don't think I even pushed myself that hard. I was left with a sense of sadness, because it was so lovely to be surrounded by so many people who are passionate about performing. They save every penny they have to get on a bike, coach, back of a van and perform for as many days as they can possibly afford. It's beautiful to see, much like the hills of Edinburgh too.

Will I be back? Yes! 2013 with a show... you heard it here first.

Bye bye Sandfield Centre

On Saturday 2^nd April 2011 a performance like no other was seen in a little unknown theatre called Sandfield Centre in Nottingham. As a result of the cuts that are sweeping across the country, Nottingham City Council has decided to destroy Sandfield Centre, which for nearly 20 years has been the performing home of Nottingham Youth Theatre (which has also been known as: Acorn, C’NET and NET).

Secretly for weeks past and present members had put together a review show of the shows and memorable moments, that had all happened under the Artistic Direction of Alistair Conquer. Throughout the day the building was buzzing with people singing, dancing and putting last minute sketches together. Outside groups were rehearsing their numbers in the car park in true NYT style.

Then infront of an invited audience of friends and family, and the guest of honour Alistair Conquer, the performance unfolded. It wasn’t perfect but was performed with enthusiasm, passion and talented performers. Although some performers had not performed for years it was amazing to see how they hadn’t lost it. The audience appeared to enjoy the performance and then Alistair gave a moving speech to close, which reminded everyone of the importance of the arts.

Growing up some of my best teenage memories happened with NYT. It was much more than a youth theatre where I had the opportunity to sing, dance, act and perform both nationally and internationally. It was where I truly learned what to work hard meant, what working in a team meant, how to be tactful, work under pressure and above all, met deadlines.

I owe a lot of my success to my years in NYT. It was a life changing experience that has played an important role in my past. It saddens me to think that no longer will NYT be able to use Sandfield Centre, but the closing of the theatre will not be the end of the NYT. As proven through the performance the NYT spirit is strong and the show must go on!