Museum Intern, Slovak National Museum, Martin, Slovakia. September 2010 - November 2010. http://www.snm.sk/?home
I was chosen for an EU funded Internship to work in 4 museums that fall under the Slovak National Museum; including the Ethnography Museum, Museum of the Slovak Village (open-air), the Museum of Roma Culture in Slovakia and the Andrej Kmet' Museum. I worked and gained training in several departments across these museums.
- Marketing and Education Dept.: assisted with the organisation and running of events (the winter festival, private viewing of new exhibition), helped to faciliate and run children's workshops using basic Slovak, wrote evaluative reports of visitor experience from a non-Slovak point of view and implemented strategies such as improved use of signage in the English language, researched and wrote new educational material in basic English, and updated/ edited the English sections of the museum website.
- Archiving Dept.: I was familiarised with the catalogue/storage system and became involved in cataloguing objects, updating objects onto the computer database (ESEZ4G), archiving, packing, logging and moving art objects into storage.
- Exhibitions Dept.: researched and wrote new tour guide material in the English language, conducted tours to English speaking visitors, trained the tour guide to lead tours in English including producing a recording of the written tour, and helped to prepare museum for exhibition opening etc.
- Administration: I assisted with the smooth running of the office; completing tasks such as photocopying, proof reading documents and correcting mistakes, printing, filing, updating the computer database (ESEZ4g) and writing letters in the English language.
- I was also responsible for holding weekly meetings and giving presentations to members of staff about my experience of museums in the UK, and ideas for improving the facilities in these museums. I also provided a vocabulary list, in order to aid staff with their learning of the English Language, and spoke in basic Slovak with staff.
The most beneficial skills I took from this experience were enhanced communication skills,; both verbal and written and the ability to research, interpret and relay information to various audiences. I was able to take initiative and work well independently or collaboratively, and developed my interpersonal skills when working with children, other members of staff and the public. I was recognised by my supervisor for my enthusiasm, willingness and ideas to improve the museum and help staff, and my professional, mature attitude at work.
What I enjoyed most about the job: Learning about the history and traditions of Slovak Culture, and observing how the operation of the museums differ from museums in the UK.
What I least enjoyed about the job: There was a slight language barrier that meant communication could only be had on a basic level.
Front of House Assistant, Camden Arts Centre, London. June 2009 - August 2010. http://www.camdenartscentre.org/home/
I worked as part of a team in this established gallery, whose mission is to provide a welcoming, attractive, accessible, healthy, safe and stimulating environment for visitors and staff. My key tasks and responsibilities included: welcoming visitors to the gallery and assisting them towards full use of the services available, ensuring the gallery was well presented at all times; including numerous housekeeping duties, undertaking tours and talks of the gallery as and when required, opening and closing the exhibition according to instructions provided by the gallery manager, supporting the Public Programme Coordinator with the delivery of public programme activities on and off site and supporting the Studio Technician with setting up education classes, whilst welcoming people into these classes.
It also involved: assisting with special events, pre-views, press-views, gallery tours and private hires, assisting Office Staff with general administrative duties (such as dealing with telephone enquiries, photocopying, sending mail outs, drafting press releases, filing etc.), keeping an accurate record of visitor attendance, demographics and satisfaction levels; and relaying all findings to the Press and Marketing Manager. As well as: providing security for the art works at all times, offering visitors assistance and information whilst responding to any queries in a timely and informed manner, reporting visitor views to the gallery manager and adhering to the complaints procedure, acting as the first point of contact in an emergency; remaining in radio contact with the gallery manager at all times, dealing with incidents and reporting faults to the gallery manager as they arose, monitoring the safety of visitors in the Garden in line with health and safety policy, reporting any security or heath and safety matters to the gallery manager and being prepared to deal with evacuation procedures according to the health and safety policy. It was also required that I updated and informed myself of Camden Arts Centre's activities including upcoming exhibitions, current education courses and public programme events and undertaking any other duties when necessary. I was also trained in Art Handling.
I gained many skills from this experience including increased communication skills when providing tours, researching and analytical skills and ability to write effectively about art/exhibitions, attention to detail and observational skills, customer service skills and the knowlegde of when to approach visitors offering help or information. I also gained valuable administrative skills that I can carry into any organisational role. I was recognised by my employer for my team-working skills, willingness to cover shifts to ensure all areas were covered and my polite, friendly treatment towards visitors.
What I enjoyed most about the job: Working in an Arts environment, and interacting with visitors about the artworks/viewing their response to artworks and comparing their views to my own critical responses.
What I enjoyed least about the job: Observing and having to instruct lazy parents/teachers who let children in their supervision run amock and touch things in the gallery.
Arts and Crafts Facilitator, Unicorn Theatre, London. June 2007 - August 2008. http://www.unicorntheatre.com/
The Society of London Theatre ran Arts and Crafts sessions to encourage young children to visit and enjoy the Theatre. I was responsible for delivering these sessions at events, to groups of twenty 4-10 year old children often accompanied by their parents. This included, planning sessions and divising activities, budgeting for materials, dividing and distributing materials for each session, explaining activities and how they related to the Theatre, assisting individual children with difficult tasks (such as using scissors etc.) and clearing away rubbish as it was produced. It also included working with a brief, running a show and tell aspect to the session, communicating with parents about future events and liasing with organisers about the successes and any concerns of each session. Activities in the sessions included tasks such as puppet making, sticker design, colouring in, developing pictures of characters, sculpting, model making and more.
I was able to engage the children, whilst teaching them new techniques and communicating the fun that can be had at the Theatre. I also increased my planning, budgeting and organisational skills when preparing for each session. I was able to adapt my tone and vocabulary, as well as content to different age groups. I demonstrated a patient, nurturing and friendly attitude towards the children, and was able to keep to a time-limit. I was complimented for my contribution to the success of the projects, which have been developed into a continuing programme for young people.
What I enjoyed most about the job: Combining my love for art, and working with people. I gained real satisfaction from helping others to enjoy art as much as I do.
What I enjoyed least about the job: I thoroughly enjoyed the job so it is difficult to say, but I guess the clearing up part was the worst; children can be very messy!
Painter and Decorator's Assistant, Duncan Copeland. June 2007 - August 2007.
My Grandfather is a Painter and Decorator who works on a freelance/private/self-employed basis decorating houses before new tenants move in. I worked as his personal assistant during the summer, helping to buy equipment, prepare surfaces- sanding, filling holes etc, paint using a roller/brush, apply wallpaper, paint skirting boards etc. I gained precision, and efficiency skills as I had to work quickly and accurately. I also acted as administration, taking bookings, organising our diary, arranging viewings etc. and gained many organisational and time-management skills.
What I enjoyed most about the job: Working in a private space meant we could listen to the radio and enjoy working systematically to get things done.
What I enjoyed least about the job: The aches and pains that come with a very physical job.
As a young volunteer (2004-2006) I also assisted with supervising arts and crafts sessions at my local community centre, and events such as carnival 365 and worked with children doing facepainting and other activities.
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