Creative Internships Programme

A pilot project jointly devised and managed by A&B Northern Ireland and A&B Cymru is set to aid the sustainability of the arts through the development of a new generation of fundraisers. In October 2013, 8 recent arts graduates began 10 month paid internships with leading organisations in Belfast and Cardiff.

For some time, both nations have suffered from a lack of professional arts fundraisers. This problem is increasingly serious in the current economic climate. A&B Northern Ireland and Cymru believe that the only way to address this is to attract new graduates into the field.

The interns will work on specific measurable projects and receive structured support from the participating arts organisations. Crucially, they will also be mentored by a business adviser chosen to meet their professional needs. 

In Northern Ireland, Faye Hobson has been matched with Belfast’s brand new arts venue, The MAC; Sinead Owens with youth arts organisation Wheelworks; Roisin Daley with leading children’s arts charity Young at Art; and Ciara McCafferty, with independent theatre company, Prime Cut Productions.

In Wales, Textiles graduate Jennifer Kirkham; Fine Arts graduates Lauren Webb and Johanna Shepherd and Applied Drama graduate, Elizabeth Day, will intern at Chapter Arts Centre, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Wales Millennium Centre and Welsh National Opera respectively.

The scheme was launched in response to the need identified by Arts & Business in both nations.

“Last year, we advertised a new and exciting fundraising role – an interesting job with a decent salary. We received just seven applications. After failing to appoint, I heard from 5 major arts organisations in Wales that they too had problems in recruiting fundraisers. Fundraising is an art in itself. The need to ensure a funding mix is crucial to survival and arts organisations now recognise that investing resources into this area is a priority.” said Rachel Jones, Chief Executive of A&B Cymru

“The picture was the same in Northern Ireland. There is a real lack of skilled cultural fundraisers. And yet a strategic approach to professional fundraising and income generation has never been more critical for our sector.” said Mary Trainor-Nagele, Chief Executive of Arts & Business Northern Ireland

Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development, at the Arts Council, commented, “The Arts Council is delighted to support the Arts & Business Creative Internship Programme. This innovative pilot programme will help build a pool of high calibre, professional, arts fundraisers for the future. I wish all the interns every success in their training.”

At the end of the pilot it is hoped that 8 new fundraisers will have emerged with drive and passion matched by invaluable training and experience.  This is just the beginning and in order to make a tangible difference to the future of the arts, A&B Northern Ireland and Cymru aim to roll out the programme in 2014.

Follow the Creative interns ‘blogs’ at http://www.artsandbusinessni.org.uk/news/

Meet the Interns 2013…..

NORTHERN IRELAND                
      
Sinéad Owens has just recently graduated from Queens University Belfast with a BA Hons in Drama. She has had experience in production management, stage management, sound design, choreography, acting, set design and lighting design. She also has experience teaching and fundraising. She was presented with Gold in the Pope John Paul II Award in 2009, ‘The Mercy Cup’ for Contribution to the Community for 2009-2010 and the ‘Best Stage Manager’ Award in the Student Theatre Awards in 2013. Sinéad has been placed with WheelWorks. Here her job will be the researching and developing new fundraising ideas regarding the renewal of the ArtCart mobile arts resource, contributing to general fundraising submissions, reports and monitoring, and working on other WheelWorks operational and development tasks as appropriate. Her main task is to work closely alongside the Manager, Lucy McCullagh, and other staff to identify and carry out tasks relating to the fundraising and other operational and promotional needs of a small youth arts charity. Sinéad said:

“I am feeling extremely privileged and blessed to have been placed in such a positive work space with co-workers who are enthusiastic and passionate about the work they do. I’ve only been here a short period of time and I have already learnt so much and have been made to feel part of the WheelWorks team. This opportunity is unbelievable and I am very grateful to have been chosen by Arts & Business NI.” 
 
Roisin Daley has completed an undergraduate degree in History of Art at Manchester University and a masters degree in Arts Management from Queens University, Belfast. She has previously worked at a number of Belfast arts organisations including Queen Street Studios, the Golden Thread Gallery and the Black Box. Through the Arts & Business NI Creative Internship, she has been placed in Young at Art, one of Northern Ireland's leading children's arts charities, where she will be working on fundraising under Director, Ali Fitzgibbon. Roisin said:

“I am thrilled to be part of the Arts & Business NI Creative Internship. It is a fantastic opportunity and already I have learnt so much. I feel that this programme is an invaluable experience, for which I am very grateful, and one which has confirmed my choice of career in the arts.”

Ciara McCafferty is a Drama with Sociology graduate from Queen's University, Belfast. At the age of 20 Ciara co-founded her own theatre company, Chatterbox Productions, who have had two successful trips to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2011 and 2012. Last year she completed her City and Guilds Level III Certificate in Media Techniques and was recently accepted into the BBC Production Talent Pool 2013. She has worked as a freelance stage manager and technician. Ciara is thrilled to be joining the team at Prime Cut Productions just in time for the finale of their European Tour of 'The Conquest of Happiness' a project in collaboration with East West Theatre Company, Bosnia and West and the Mladinsko Theatre, Slovenia, back in their home town of Belfast. She will be working on project funding for Prime Cut's Artistic Development and Community Engagement strands. She is excited by the prospect of working on not only proposals for trusts and foundations but also core funding and EU funding. Ciara said:

“I cannot wait to join the team at Prime Cut and have access to the inner workings of a highly successful theatre company. It is a very exciting time for Prime Cut and so I am ready for the challenges that this fantastic internship can offer me.”

 
Faye Hobson is a Photography Graduate from Falmouth University. She has a strong background in the arts, having worked with Belfast Photo Festival, Household Festival and Belfast Exposed Photography Gallery. Faye recently joined the board of Platform Arts, an artist-led gallery and studio group in Belfast. In addition to her artistic background, she also has a strong background in business and has completed an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice. Faye has been placed in the Business Development Department of The MAC, where she will be responsible for the day to day running of the venue hire function. She will also make a contribution in areas such as Individual and Corporate giving schemes, data gathering and market research. She said:

“I am incredibly excited to have been placed with such an inspiring and vibrant arts organisation. The MAC strives to be world class in everything it does; in my first two weeks here I have seen this is reflected in the passion and dedication of every member of the team. I have gained such unique and valuable experience already, far beyond the level that is normally offered to new graduates, and I am looking forward to the new experiences that the next ten months will bring.”