Emma and Katie’s experiences of volunteering with Beam

By Frances Smith on 11th April 2012

Our latest fantastic volunteers Emma and Katie have just completed a 3 month structured volunteering programme with Beam and we’d like to thank them for all their hard work - we’ve thoroughly enjoyed having them with us. Here’s what they had to say about their experiences at Beam.

Emma:

“As a fresh graduate from Newcastle University with a 2.1 BA Hons degree in Classical Studies, I was eager to pursue my passion for the arts, so I was delighted to be offered the Arts Management internship at BEAM. The arrangement was very convenient for me as I managed to still hold down my part-time and casual job roles in Leeds, whilst pursuing my dream job in Wakefield for the remaining two days.

On my first day I was a little apprehensive and not really sure what to expect but it soon became apparent that I was going to enjoy myself as soon as I met everyone in the office. Katie and I were greeted with warm smiles and offered plenty of tea and biscuits, which reassured me. My previous volunteering for charities, museums, libraries and heritage centres meant I had some relevant experience, however I have gained invaluable skills over the past few months, thanks to the generosity and support of the BEAM staff members.

Not only have I improved my confidence from a technological point of view, getting to grips with Apple Macs, Photoshop, uploading case studies onto the website, using social media sites such as Twitter and experimenting with Pinterest; I have also been able to use my creative side in designing flyers, as well as assembling a photo album to promote weddings at The Orangery (one of my favourite tasks!) I was never bored and always looked forward to coming into work. It was a pleasure to be situated in such beautiful surroundings to.

There have been many highlights, including amazing opportunities to meet artists, attending a Design Review and going on a site visit to York. No day is the same and I feel my contributions were truly valued. The programme has been well structured and nicely balanced between a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning, and observing the processes involved at the various stages of different projects. It has been so insightful. The internship is consciously geared towards your needs and what you would like to achieve at the end of the ten weeks. I would recommend it to anyone who is considering a career in the cultural sector.

Since starting at BEAM, I have signed up to lots of interesting newsletters, which I am sure will be useful when seeking future employment due to the regular job bulletins and exciting events taking place across the country. I am forever grateful to BEAM for giving me the chance to sample the world of arts management and will be very sad to leave. It has made me even more determined to find my perfect job within the arts sector and I believe that my newly improved C.V. will help me achieve that.”

Katie:

“I came into the Arts Marketing and Event Management internship with Beam with a slightly different background to that of my predecessors. I’m in my late 20s and graduated in 2005 from the University of Kent with a 2:1 in Philosophy and Film Studies, before completing my post-graduate training in Magazine Journalism. Since moving from Essex to Huddersfield in late 2010, I have been attempting a career change from journalism into marketing and press, but in these troubled economic times opportunities have been difficult to come by.

When the opportunity of an internship with Beam came up I felt like I’d finally found something right for me. Having so many friends and colleagues in the journalism industry, I know all too well that internships in creative industries can often be a byword for ‘tea monkey’, but I am happy to report that working with Beam has involved no more tea-making than in the average day.

I have spent my two days a week getting involved in all sorts of marketing and event management activities; from writing press releases and promoting events using social media, to helping to work out the finer details of upcoming events. I’ve also been encouraged to gain a broader understanding of the world of not-for-profit arts organisations; getting involved with bid discussions and the delivery of projects.

I come away from my ten weeks at Beam with an even healthier-looking CV, confidence that I’ve made the right decision to change careers, and memories of the wonderful, helpful Beam staff who made me feel part of the team right from the start.”

 

Europe’s ‘Greenest City’ is also one of its most economically successful ...

By Frances Smith on 5th March 2012

A Public Lecture by Prof. Wulf Daseking, Head of Urban Planning, City of Freiburg followed by discussion

Freiberg in South Germany is often cited as Europe’s ‘greenest city’ for sustainability with extensive low-energy housing, large scale use of renewable fuels and very high use of public transport, walking and cycling built from a compact, short-distance city with a beautiful historic centre. It also enjoys a very strong economy based in part on solar power and an enviable quality of life which attracts talented people to study and work. How has this been achieved and what can business and local government in the Sheffield Region learn from it ?

Wulf Daseking has been the Head of Urban Planning for the City of Freiburg for over 20 years and is a key figure in shaping the city. He is also an entertaining and persuasive speaker on the social and economic benefits of planning for a low carbon future. He will describe the experience of Freiburg and introduce the Freiburg Charter – which has distilled the lessons of its experience and how they can be relevant to others.

Representatives of the Council, Civic Trust, Academy of Urbanism and Universities will be invited to respond before throwing the floor open to general questions and discussion in what promises to be an inspirational and highly informative event.

Friday 16th March 4 .00 – 6.00 pm
Peak Lecture Theatre, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard St

Discussion chaired by Professor Brian Evans: Mckintosh School of Art, Glasgow
Free with refreshments after.

Presented by Sheffield Urban Think-Tank:
Sponsored by: Sheffield City Council, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, Universities of Sheffield and Hallam, the Civic Trust, S. Yorkshire Forest & Integreat Yorkshire

Download the event flyer:
Freiburg_Flyer.pdf

Seville - Metropol Parasol

By Stephen Dolman on 6th February 2012

The largest wooden structure in the world is in Seville.

We came across the following film (www.theatlanticcities.com), which explores how the Metropol Parasol affects the people who live and work around it, as well as the historic area in which it sits.