Creative Career Experiences with Artswork Staff
Artswork staff share how they first stepped into a career within the creative, cultural, and heritage sector.
Starting a career in the creative, cultural, and heritage sector can feel overwhelming or unclear, with the pathways into these roles often seeming obscure. We asked our colleagues at Artswork to share their very first steps into the creative industries, to show you some of the routes that current industry professionals have taken and hopefully to inspire you on your own journey – whatever that looks like.
Their experiences were wild and various, from dressing vegetables, to dealing with members of the public standing on works of art. Some roles were inspiring, some fell apart in front of audiences, and some were gruelling and repetitive. But each role became a stepping stone towards a lasting career within the cultural sector, with discoveries emerging from the most unexpected places.
“My first role in the cultural sector was as a gallery assistant at a gallery in Norwich. It was a formative experience that introduced me to the day-to-day workings of a public-facing arts space and gave me a deep appreciation for the diversity of creative practices and audiences.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the job was the opportunity to meet a wide range of people such as artists, visitors, and fellow staff, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences.
I spent a lot of time engaging in conversations with visitors, which helped me understand how differently people interpret and connect with artworks.
These interactions taught me that there’s no single way to experience creative media, and that art can evoke a wide spectrum of responses depending on someone’s mood, or personal journey.
Working alongside artists with varied practices was incredibly inspiring. I was exposed to a rich mix of exhibitions, from contemporary installations to more traditional forms, and I learned a lot about emerging artists and movements I hadn’t encountered before.
On the flip side, the public-facing nature of the role meant I had to be ready for anything. There were moments that required quick thinking and calm responses – like when someone accidentally stood on an artwork! These situations taught me about managing unpredictability and maintaining professionalism under pressure.
That job laid the foundation for how I approach my work today. It helped me realise the importance of accessibility in the arts and the need to create spaces where people feel comfortable engaging with creative practice in their own way. The experience shaped my understanding of audience engagement and continues to influence how I design and produce cultural projects now.” – Louise W
My first step into the creative world, after teaching, came thanks to a recommendation from the deputy head at my school for a start-up called Espresso Education – I joined them as an Assistant Producer.
At that time, the idea of video-rich online learning for schools was almost unheard of. Most schools didn’t even have broadband, so we broadcast our weekly updates via satellite. It felt a little like trying to build the plane while flying it – exciting but stressful, especially when the technology let us down in front of a live audience!
But those early challenges were also what made it so rewarding. Week by week we built up a library of content, and by the time schools were ready for broadband, Espresso had become a leader in digital learning.
Looking back, that role was where I first discovered the thrill of working in a fast-moving creative environment - one where ideas, innovation, and teamwork could change the way people learn. - Mandie W
My first work experience was organised by my university course and was with Photographer Patrice De Villiers that became paid 2nd assistant work. I was terrified having only ever been to London with other people before and here I was on my way to work with a photographer whose work I admired. A real mix of excitement and nerves.
She worked on a sheet film camera which meant her work was incredibly detailed. Our first shoot was a still life for Heinz baby food…
…we spent hours looking through sacks of potatoes to find the perfect one.
We had a food stylist on set (I never even knew that was a career) and we had to clean, dress, and shape the vegetables. The fluffy green carrot tops were actually from a different vegetable entirely and we had to surgically put them together. It was my job to take the film out in the dark room and ready it for the courier, one wrong move and hours of work would be wasted – it still gives me chills thinking about it!
This first work experience gave me a lot of contacts for further opportunities and I felt really proud of myself. I continued to work in the industry for about 4 years after this, starting with assisting, which lead onto an interest in production and agent side, but a real struggle was the finances. I moved to London, but my salary was a challenge to keep up with living costs and trying to shoot my own work, which is where my painting came in and I was able to create without relying on anyone else.
This first opportunity was a special time in my life, I felt empowered and proud of myself even when I was so tempted not to get on the train through fear of failing, I still did. Now, when I have an exhibition or present a workshop, I recall how I felt and remember the outcome can be great when you put yourself out there. - Lisa G