Gallery and Events Manager – ArtHouse Jersey
What does a typical day look like for you?
It’s the classic “no two days are the same”! It varies during exhibition installations with painting, cleaning and preparing the gallery space, to liaising with our team, artists and suppliers. Whilst our exhibitions are running, I manage our stewards and support with any technical daily set ups. Talking to our visitors is rewarding and informative, so I try to make time for that every day, as well as leading tours for visiting groups. We also host talks, performances and workshops, so I work with external providers as well as my colleagues to ensure that they all run smoothly.
How did you get your job? / What training, degree, education do you need?
I have always had a passion for the creative arts, but the university course I chose didn’t work for me, and like many young Jersey people I came back to the island and worked in a variety of roles within the Finance industry. In late 2020 I took a career break and in that time stewarded for an ArtHouse Jersey exhibition, through which I felt my confidence and enthusiasm reignited. I took on ad hoc work with the organisation and in early 2021 I started as an Assistant Producer, where I could draw on the organisational and planning experience I had from previous roles. ArtHouse Jersey then opened the exhibition space at Capital House in April 2022, which felt like the perfect next step for me.
What are the most important skills needed for your role/job?
Adaptability, curiosity and people skills. I work with a broad range of people day to day, so being able to adapt and be personable in those situations is vital.
Are there any future skills you will need to learn for your role?
There are still so many things for me to learn. I’m lucky to work with a very talented team, with such knowledge to learn and draw from. There aren’t many on island training opportunities, but I’m keen to explore any remote learning courses or other organisations I can visit and partner with to expand my skills.
What is the best part of your job? / What motivates you in this role?
To see an exhibition go from concept to opening is incredible. How everyone involved in that process develops and evolves to create something to share with the public is very special. Once that is opened up to visitors, I get to see their interactions with artworks and have conversations. Hearing how they are moved, inspired and informed by our shows, makes all of the hard work worthwhile.
What advice would you give someone interested in a career in your profession?
Get involved. Be it visiting a gallery, exhibition or performance space regularly or through volunteering. When you attend events, talk to a member of the team. The arts and cultural environment in Jersey is changing, and hopefully it will get to a point where Jersey’s creative young people don’t all have to leave to find enriching opportunities.
Who inspires you and why?
My brother. He took on our family business with our dad when he was only 21 and he has worked tirelessly to make it a success, alongside a great team. His passion, dedication and knowledge continues to inspire and amaze me.
