Dear all,
I'm desperately trying to find a way in to employment/a paid position as an arts facilitator, or arts workshop leader/assistant or any step in that direction no matter how small, yet I seem to be permanently faced with unpaid opportunities or firmly closed doors. Can anyone advise please!
I am educated to degree level within the field of visual art (mainly photography) but have never had a paid job within this field despite graduating ten years ago. Instead, I have worked up to management level in hospitality and since having my son, part-time in admin. I moved to London just over two years ago in the hope that finding my way into an arts career would be slightly easier than in the small town I was living in, and granted I have found many more opportunities and gained a vastly more beneficial experience, but as yet have not found a way in to a paid position. Now I know that the current financial climate is a hindrance to a large majority of people seeking employment, but the truth is I'm not even sure where to start! I have spent the last year doing voluntary work with the charity Kids Company and others, gaining fantastic experience working in an arts setting with vulnerable children and some adults. This includes running arts workshops in schools, assisting artists with projects for children and a two day training course with the head of arts at Kids Co. I've applied for every job I've seen within this sort of realm, and so far not even secured an interview. I've also considered starting a pre-school arts and crafts club for children and parents, but have no idea where or how to start.
If anyone out there is already an arts facilitator, knows of where I can start, perhaps even places to send out my CV to, an organisation that may be able to advise, or how to start my own children's art club etc etc. Absolutely any advice would be hugely appreciated, I am DESPERATE!
Thank you so much!
Jodes79