Yesterday I gave a talk on Art Criticism and Reviews to five participants of the University of Birmingham’s Cultural Intern scheme. This was held at the beautiful Winterbourne House and Garden. The talk detailed my experiences as a critic and writer with different organisations, different ways of engaging with and writing about art, tips and tricks and some of the broader discourse surrounding art criticism.
The five participants of the scheme are graduates of courses including Art History and Music and have undertaken some fantastic paid placements at organisations like the CBSO, Birmingham Opera Company and sampad.
The scheme aims to provide experience for graduates in:
– collections management
– project and event management
– learning and access
– access and interpretation
– arts marketing
– orchestral management
‘The paid placements run for six months, each offering real opportunities to gain high quality work experience, undertaking meaningful projects at leading cultural organisations in the West Midlands region. The programme is designed to increase graduates’ knowledge and skills, and for interns to gain an interesting and valuable introduction to the workplace which will enhance their future employment prospects. The structure of the programme includes joint training sessions based at the University at the start and middle of the internship, a six month work based placement and individual mentoring.’
My talk was a component of their training session at the mid-point of their placements. Other West-Midlands based cultural professionals to speak over the two days included Harun Morrison, co-director of the brilliant Fierce Festival, and staff from Sampad and the Library of Birmingham.
I’m delighted to have been asked to give another talk in October to a new group of ten Cultural Interns on the subject of the West Midlands contemporary art scene.
My thanks go to Laura Milner, Cultural Partnerships Manager at the University of Birmingham who runs the Cultural Intern Scheme for inviting me.
More information about the scheme and how to apply can be found here:
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/culture/Cultural-Internship-Scheme.aspx
Anneka French 