I volunteer at Southampton City Art Gallery, which has a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works with a focus on contemporary British art.
After graduating in history and French from the University of Manchester and returning to my childhood home in Southampton last summer, I contacted the volunteer coordinator and a role was created for me to fit my volunteering experience and interest in art and heritage.
As well as stewarding at exhibition preview evenings and music events, I run a highlights tour of the gallery for the public. My tour lasts for an hour, focusing on a few paintings in the main gallery, and then I discuss the two main exhibitions in detail.
I work as a programme administrator for a retail company in the city, and although my job is not in the arts sector, it has helped build my confidence when it comes to talking to new people and has prepared me to lead tours.
However, my two roles have emphasised the sharp contrast between corporate life and culture, and how much the latter inspires and interests me more than the former. I have therefore embraced and cherished this opportunity of carrying out my own project on something that is both thought-provoking and stimulating.
After graduating in history and French from the University of Manchester and returning to my childhood home in Southampton last summer, I contacted the volunteer coordinator and a role was created for me to fit my volunteering experience and interest in art and heritage.
As well as stewarding at exhibition preview evenings and music events, I run a highlights tour of the gallery for the public. My tour lasts for an hour, focusing on a few paintings in the main gallery, and then I discuss the two main exhibitions in detail.
I work as a programme administrator for a retail company in the city, and although my job is not in the arts sector, it has helped build my confidence when it comes to talking to new people and has prepared me to lead tours.
However, my two roles have emphasised the sharp contrast between corporate life and culture, and how much the latter inspires and interests me more than the former. I have therefore embraced and cherished this opportunity of carrying out my own project on something that is both thought-provoking and stimulating.
