Online Arts Editor, Giverny Masso, catches up with Dom Jinks, head of the university’s Arts and Culture team to chat about funds, volunteering and their online platforms.
Dom summarises what the Arts and Culture team is all about:
It was clear from the outset that Dom, along with the rest of the Arts and Culture team at the University, is here to support the arts on campus to the furthest extent possible. The team offers arts society funding, volunteering opportunities and works on a range of projects including Grand Challenges, which is all brought together in their recently launched website.
Image credit: The University of Exeter
Dom said: “When we started the Arts and Culture team it became apparent there wasn’t a central place where you could find out what was on here at the university with regards to student acts, professional acts, and guest speakers. I think there’s a lot of really good stuff happening here that a wider public would be interested in, but a lot of it was going unseen.”
One of the main things Dom wants to raise awareness of is the Student Society Fund, where any student can apply for a grant of up to £750 for Arts and Culture related projects within their societies. They are working with an overall budget of £5000 and delegate out the funds after an evaluation of the proposed project.
“Students can bid in for projects that will increase engagement in whatever they are doing, but will also increase public engagement. Projects could include things like shows, workshops within local schools and exhibitions.” The deadline is November 22 so make sure you don’t miss out.
Arts and Culture are also keen to encourage volunteers to work at various arts related events, including concerts such as the upcoming Babyshambles gig. Volunteering can contribute towards the Exeter Award, it is a good way to gain some arts-related work experience and is obviously a delight for arts enthusiasts.
Dom also explained that you can upload your own Arts and Culture related events free of charge to the ‘What’s On’ section of the website, which details events happening within the University and student related events in the city centre. This is the perfect way to advertise auditions, socials and performances to the student body at the University.
Image credit: The University of Exeter
What events are coming up this term? “Folk musician Jim Causely will be playing music to the work of poet Charles Causley. We have some of the transcripts for the poems in the library archives, so this is pretty special for the university.”
There is also a talk by Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel and a talk by Bob Harris, the BBC Radio 2 DJ who started the BBC television show The Old Grey Whistle Test. Click here to view these upcoming events.
Image credit: Bob Harris
The team also work specifically with the new Creative Futures society: “The society is all about increasing opportunities and routes for people wanting to work or gain experience in creative industries. Later this year there will be a creative fair with industry professionals down giving specific talks and workshops.”
“There is a wish to harness all this really good stuff that’s happening within societies and let students know that if they are thinking about a professional creative career then this can be a viable option. The Creative Futures Society can help them make links through apprenticeships, internships, mentoring, creative fairs and workshops.”
To find out more visit the Arts and Culture website.
Giverny Masso
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