Cultural & Education Coordinator for Magnum Photos

Full name/age/job title

Fiona Rogers, 27, Cultural & Education Coordinator.

Please give us an overview of your average day

My responsibilities include Magnum's touring exhibitions, events, print sales/acquisitions and managing Magnum's educational activities including photography workshops, professional practice events and a partnership with 10 UK degree courses.

I usually project manage between 10 and 15 different exhibitions or events at any one time, so my day is usually occupied by answering emails and creating documents in relation to these; contracts, consignment notes, lists of works, condition reports, web content and invoices.

I also prospect approximately two to three solo or group exhibitions every month, which involves creating pitch documents which outline the project, researching suitable gallery's/venues and approaching curators.

Magnum programs three to four international workshops each year, so another part of my day might be to propose workshops or educational events to global photography festivals and potential sponsors of existing events.  In the run up to a workshop event, my priority will be to ensure the participants and Magnum tutors are fully briefed and that the necessary infrastructure is in place so the event runs smoothly.

What is the most common misconception about your job?

That my role is extremely creative - mostly it is coordination and administration.

What is the hardest thing about your role?

Time management - we are a very small team! 

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

I completed a BA in Arts & Media at a good arts based university where professional practice was taken very seriously.  I remember we had a visiting lecturer who discussed the job options available to us, in case we didn't become the next Robert Capa or James Natchwey, and the idea of working in a museum, curating exhibitions really appealed to me.

I found an internship with a popular central London gallery which developed into a part-time role in their Production department curating, managing & installing exhibitions and events.  From there I moved to Magnum Photos where I started off in a very junior role, eventually progressing into exhibition coordination and eventually into my current role where I manage education, exhibitions and collectors prints. 

What can you do to get a head start?

For me, internships are key within the creative industries.  Getting a degree is not as prestigious as it was 10 years ago, so you have to give yourself the edge and a way of standing out amongst the crowd.

I recommend having the correct attitude too - being flexible and happy to do junior tasks is all part of the experience.

Could you describe the creative element to your job?

Happily I get to curate exhibitions alongside our Cultural Director, including exhibitions for our Print Sales gallery and individual photographer projects.  I also get to originate new exhibitions with museums, galleries and cultural institutions. 

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

I wish that I had known the photographic market in general was in a state of decline. 

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

Association of Photographers - good for assisting opportunities

BAPLA - useful for picture library jobs

Art Jobs - jobs and internship notifications

Find out more about the IdeasTap Photographic Award in Association with Magnum Photos.