Visual Arts Open Workshop

Curious about working in the arts? The Visual Arts Open Workshop is open to everyone who is keen to find out more about entering the visual arts sector and what it is like to work as a part of it.

The visual arts sector faces a challenge. Institutions are slow to respond to much-needed change, entry-level positions are highly competitive and career progression is limited. How can the sector create opportunities for those who are committed to working within the arts but whose options are limited? Are traineeships useful and what opportunities and support structures exist for those interested in gaining experience?

This is an opportunity to explore these questions, to gain insight from individuals working in the sector and to engage in meaningful discussion about what it means to work in the arts and how we can make the cultural sector a more inclusive space.

We encourage participants from backgrounds currently under-represented in the arts, particularly those who identify as working class and/or as people of colour. 

The event will include:

• A brief introduction to some traineeship opportunities with iniva, the Barbican and the Chisenhale Gallery
• An opportunity for you to learn more about the arts sector from speakers including Sepake Angiama (Artistic Director, iniva), Chloe Austin (Exhibitions Researcher Manager, Maximilian William), Jemma Desai (Independent Writer and Researcher), Amrita Dhallu (Assistant Curator, International Art, Tate Modern), Priya Jay (Independent Writer, Researcher and Curator), Zoé Whitley (Director, Chisenhale Gallery) and others.   
• Break out workshop groups to connect and collectively think about the opportunities and challenges of working and participating in the sector
• A feedback session to complete the event and hear from all the different breakout groups, followed by closing remarks

This event will have a limited capacity to give every participant an opportunity to speak and share within the breakout sessions.

To book a free ticket, please visit our co-organisers here.

Image: Melanie Keen and Priya Jay in conversation at the Barbican. Photograph by Rita Duarte.