Full name/age/job title

Rhiannon Wilkins, 26, Programme Coordinator.

Please give us an overview of your average day.

I spend much of the day in the office answering emails and calls. When you are juggling as many partners as I am (we programme approximately 500 events a year, and give away about 400 hours of rehearsal space each month) I find it’s best to get as much as I can in writing, otherwise my brain would explode trying to remember everything! I am the main point of contact for everyone who comes through the programme, so it helps if I’m easy to get a hold of, too.

Other than that, it’s really varied. I visit our artists in the rehearsal spaces, hold production meetings, maintain the upkeep of the galleries, meet with potential new partners, visit other venues or go to see work around London, answer customer enquiries, and manage last-minute requests from the artists. A bit of everything really – before Christmas I spent two days building a Santa’s grotto. 

What is the most common misconception about your job?

That I live at the venue! I’m forever getting emails or voicemails marked URGENT at 10pm on a Sunday night etc. When you are the main point of contact for everyone, it can be difficult to try and hand them over to other members of the team, or to get people to understand that I can’t be around for everything.

What is the hardest thing about your role?

Can I have two? One of the hardest things about my job is the sheer amount of information I have to deal with on a day to day basis – there is an astonishing amount of data to deal with when managing a programme of this size, and so it’s really important for me to channel it all effectively. The second is trying to ensure that all of our artists have a fulfilling experience here at the venue. We are a very small team so it can be really difficult to try and make sure everyone gets a bit of love.

When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life and how did you start out achieving it?

When I left school I wanted to be an actor, but in my second year of college I took part in a show at the Edinburgh Fringe. I was performing, but also acting as the Assistant Producer and I loved it. I had already applied to universities for the following year to do acting, but I decided to take a year out and re-apply for courses focusing on producing and directing. I ended up going to the Central School of Speech and Drama to study Theatre Practice, and went from there.

What can you do to get a head start?

I would encourage people to do as much voluntary work and work experience as they can whilst they are studying. It will help to inform what you are and aren’t looking for career-wise, and may even set you on a new path, like it did for me. 

Also, if you don’t have the funds to support yourself, it will be really difficult to find the time to do this once you finish. Trying to fit in voluntary positions and pay the rent is a real uphill battle.

Could you describe the creative element to your job?

The creative element is quite varied. It includes everything from vetting all the performance proposals we receive, to programming my own events, advising artists on their work or offering feedback, advising on placement of exhibitions in the galleries, coming up with ideas and themes for future programming strands, assisting with marketing copy and, of course, a bit of creative problem solving never goes amiss!

What one thing do you wish you had known at the start of your career that you know now?

To trust my instincts, and not to be shy about putting my opinion across. It’s your opinions and talent that make you unique and they can only ever enhance your ability to do a role!

Which organisations/websites/resources do you think would be useful for people entering your industry?

LinkedIn and Arts News are always great for keeping up to date with what’s going on in the industry more generally, in terms of funding, new appointments etc. IdeasTap and Arts Jobs are great for job hunting and voluntary opportunities. Artsadmin are a fantastic resource for artists and freelancers and offer a free advisory service amongst other things.

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