“We need to be building in access from day one. Be creative with this. Access is not an afterthought. By reflecting the diversity of our society in our working practices, by being inclusive, everyone benefits and so does the art. If there is a will for change, there is – I promise you – a way.”
Jodi-Alissa Bickerton, creative learning director, Graeae Theatre Company from Valuing Diversity MA report
One of my freelance roles is as the Course Tutor and Lead Assessor for the New Museum School, run by Culture& and Create Jobs and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. I’ve been working in the role since October 2018 and I love my job. You can see a photo above of our cohort of trainees on the New Museum School programme this year. They’ve a fantastic group of young people with amazing energy, creativity and ideas.
The New Museum School aims to make heritage more relevant, accessible and meaningful to more people and a greater range of people whilst ensuring that heritage continues to be a driving force for good that celebrates the distinctiveness and connectivity of culture. It aims to create a vibrant and passionate workforce with the skills and attributes that are relevant for the curation of heritage itself, as well as the people enjoying and shaping it.
The programme is a year long and this year we have 16 trainees from diverse backgrounds, on work placements in 16 different museums, galleries, heritage sites and in cultural organisations across London. Our partners include the Museum of London, Royal Academy of Arts, National Trust properties such as Sutton House and Rainham Hall as well as other organisations such as Shape Arts and Magnum Photos.
All of the trainees are employed on a year long traineeship within their organisation and alongside gaining practical work experience in diverse areas such as conservation, curatorial practice and learning and engagement, they also complete a Level 3 Diploma in Cultural Heritage, which I manage and assess.
This year we’ve had some wonderful training days all together in various museums and heritage sites and have worked on a podcast series, where each trainee has produced their own podcast about an issue, narrative of their choosing, relating to their work place.
Here are some images from the programme so far.
You can find out more about the New Museum School and the work of Culture& here.
Jenny Pistella Associates 