Creative Career Experiences with Artswork Staff: Part 3
Artswork staff return with more stories of how they found a career in the creative, cultural, and heritage sector.
Part 3 of this series focuses on the small but defining moments that help shape a career. These new personal accounts from our colleagues at Artswork reveal how journeys into the creative sector can offer space to grow, experiment, and discover what kind of work truly feels right for you – even if it’s not the path you first imagined. Their honesty also reminds us that uncertainty, surprise, and change are all part of the process, helping us to recognise the reality of starting out in a creative career and giving ourselves permission to adjust course when something no longer fits.
My entry into the art sector was as a data analyst. I enjoy working across almost all departments, taking the raw data collected and transforming it into useful insights for the organisation. The challenging part of the role is maintaining intense attention to detail. – Chima E
My first job in the cultural sector was being the Youth & Outreach Trainee for Chichester Festival Theatre. I was really lucky to get that job without ever going to university or drama school. The role involved some admin support for the youth theatre, which at the time was 800 members across West Sussex. It was such a good opportunity to assist many different artists and practitioners, develop my own facilitation style, and lead on a number of projects that I was passionate about.
The variety was great for me. I like doing different things every day and juggling different projects. But it was also a great opportunity to try out many different roles within the sector. So, I would definitely recommend a traineeship role like the one I had, because you can really experiment with what you want to do long term.
One tough part that I would like to share, because I think it’s helpful for anyone starting out:
At the beginning, I was convinced that I would want to be a Theatre Director. Part of the traineeship, I got to be the Assistant Director on a major production. No matter how much I had wished for it, that experience was tough. I found myself feeling depressed, slightly burnt out and just not satisfied with what I was doing. At the time I didn’t know why.
Upon reflection, after my time at CFT was done, I realised why. As much as I thought that being a Theatre Director would bring me joy, watching the director of the production I assisted, I realised I didn’t see myself doing what he was doing. I realised that what I loved the most on all of the projects I worked on, was producing them.
Sometimes, you get the opportunity you’ve been dreaming of, and you might feel guilty to say that you are not happy. But listen to your body. It might not be clear why in the moment, but your body will tell you when something is right for you. – Anastasia A
When I was 18, I had a job at Poole Arts Centre behind the bar (which I found through an advertisement in our local paper) and this provided free tickets to see bands performing or watch theatre production which was something I hadn’t done before. It was always so busy at the start then the interval and at the end, so I quickly got used to working hard and efficiently during those times. Many years later I still go to live music concerts (saw Adele’s final Wembley show) and often seek out theatre productions either locally or in London. – Jane M