Creative Careers - Art Education
Creative Careers is a new series for our #LOVEArt blog, which aims to provide an insight into different arts career paths, particularly as a resource for young people. This first instalment is all about Art Education, through the eyes of Learning and Engagement Coordinator at the New Art Gallery in Walsall, Alex Jolly, and Art Teacher and Head of Year at Chenderit School, Lindsey Cramb. Thank you, Alex and Lindsey, for sharing your experiences and invaluable advice with us!
What has your career path been?
Alex: Following GCSEs and A levels I studied for a BA in Fine Art with Art History at Aberystwyth University, graduating in 2008. I did a PGCE in Secondary Art and Design at Birmingham City University the following year with the view to teaching in museums and galleries. My first museum job was as Education Officer for The Museum Network, based at The Wallace Collection in London. In 2011 I became Learning and Access Assistant at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts which I enjoyed for nearly 9 years. Keen to develop management experience, I became Team Manager at The Black Country Museum, Dudley in 2018 working with the Historic Characters. 18 months later I secured my dream role of Learning and Engagement Coordinator at The New Art Gallery, Walsall.
Lindsey: I was brought up in St Andrews, Scotland, but have been in England since moving here for university. After taking a few years out after school I went to Birmingham City University to complete a foundation course and then continued on to the Art and Design course which was located in Bournville. I chose this degree as it was multi-disciplinary and allowed me to experiment with a range of processes. During this time, I volunteered at Eastside Projects, helping with installing exhibitions and private views, and as an artist assistant to Birmingham artist, Ruth Claxton. On completing my undergraduate degree, I returned to Scotland and worked at Summerhall in Edinburgh before returning to Birmingham to complete my PGCE.
Why Art Education?
Alex: As a child I carried around crayons and paper wherever I went and all I did was draw! I was privileged to go to a great school with a wonderful art department, full of resources and opportunities and inspiring art teachers keen to nurture young artists. I got A* at GCSE and A at A-level and it was clear that art would become my career. I attended an inspiring guided tour at Wolverhampton Art Gallery with the then Learning Officer. Her talk was so engaging and inspiring, it motivated me to pursue a career in learning in museums and galleries.
Lindsey: To be completely honest, I went into teaching for the financial security. It was only after starting my first teaching job at Chenderit that I began to see any future in a career in teaching. I took a lot of inspiration (and still do) from my head of department, Tom Christy, who has a passion for Art that he always shares with the students he teaches.
What do you find most fulfilling or challenging?
Fulfilling
Alex: My job is fun and varied. I enjoy the opportunity to develop learning programmes that inspire people, foster an enjoyment of arts and culture, and enrich and improve people’s lives.
Lindsey: My favourite thing about being a teacher is watching students grow into young adults. My favourite thing about being an art teacher is seeing students become better painters than I ever was and ever will be.
Challenging
Alex: Sadly, many arts organisations, museums and galleries are often in precarious financial positions, reliant on external funding and struggle to maintain sustainable models of operating. Budget cuts and lack of funds mean creative people and places try to engage with more people with ever diminishing resources.
Lindsey: The one thing I have struggled with working within the English curriculum is watching students having to make the difficult decision about their A levels and sometimes not choosing Art when they have an undeniable talent, because they can only choose three subjects.
What is your biggest achievement in your career so far?
Alex: My proudest achievement is the success of ‘Recovery Art’ at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, a group I set up in 2013 for people in recovery from physical and mental ill health caused by a range of factors, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, bereavement and abuse. The group explores and expresses their ideas and experiences in a relaxed, informal and non-judgemental space with no stigma. I led the project for 5 years, nurturing individuals’ interests and talents and supporting more than 40 individuals on their journeys of recovery. The group exhibited their work at the Barber each October, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week. Written accounts accompanying the annual exhibition highlighted how much of a positive impact the group had on individuals’ physical and mental health. It gave them focus, purpose, support and hope.
Lindsey: There are two moments in my career that I will always remember. The first was seeing the A level Art students leave in Year 13 with amazing results when I had taught them since Year 9 when I first started at Chenderit. The second is within my role of Head of Learning and seeing a cohort of students all the way through from Year 8 to Year 11 and watching them leaving Chenderit as young adults.
What skills and qualities do you need to work in art education?
Alex: You must have a creative mind, be innovative and have a forward-thinking approach. You must take risks, be bold and ambitious and not be scared of change. You must have good problem-solving skills, an ability to be flexible and think on your feet, be adaptable and responsive. You must have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You must be open-minded and have empathy. You must have an understanding of equality of opportunity, be a champion for diversity and inclusivity, and strive to make learning programmes accessible and relevant to all.
Lindsey: You need love for helping people develop their knowledge and skills as well as the interest in developing your own knowledge and skills at the same time.
Photo by Atikah Akhtar on Unsplash
What advice would you give to someone interested in this career?
Alex: Actively engage in arts and culture in your area or region to have an understanding of the sector. Visit museums, galleries and heritage sites. Attend events at these places too. Try to conduct a work experience placement in the arts sector. Try to volunteer in learning teams in museums, galleries and arts organisations to gain experience. Aim to qualify at degree level in an arts related subject. A postgraduate qualification in museum studies, arts education or a PGCE may be beneficial. The broader your scope when job hunting, the more likely you are to secure a position; consider a range of different jobs rather than a narrow set of roles.
Lindsey: To anyone who wants to be an art teacher, I would tell them to volunteer at a number of schools before embarking on their PGCE. I would also tell them to continue making their own art and visit exhibitions. The art world is ever evolving and from my experience students are fascinated to know you do something other than teach!
Why do you #LOVEArt?
“I love art. I love looking at art, experiencing art, talking to people about art and making art. Art is a big part of my identity.”
“Art has the power to change the way you see, think and act.”
Read more #LOVEArt blog features from ‘Creative Careers‘ & more here.