Culture Swindon welcomes requests from people of all ages who would like to join us for work experience. However, all requests should be directed to Human Resources Officer Nicki Jackson (telephone 01793 464865), who will get you to complete an online form.

Great

April 2009: Charlotte Hollis, aged 15, has just completed work experience at the Arts Centre, where she helped build sets, went on Radio 1 Big Weekend site visits, learnt about sound and lighting, as well as box office administraton and setting up exhibitions. She said, "It's been very cool. I have been treated as an adult and found it fun to learn about the theatre. The team have been very good and I fitted in easily. They're really nice people and it's been great!" Charlotte would like to become a drama teacher, so all the best Charlotte!

Fantastic

Ben Keep did work experience at Create Studios. He told us, "Just a quick note to say thanks for using the videos for the Swindon Summer Festival, which Gavin and I made during work experience. They looked really good up on the big screen. The work experience was fantastic, as I had a great time there, and just wish the time had been much longer. Thanks again."

Challenging but fun!

Fourteen-year-old Toby Lloyd also did work experience at Create Studios. He said, "Thank you for being so welcoming and improving my computer skills when I came to my work experience recently. Your help and opinions on video editing are invaluable. I learnt a great deal and I'm very grateful for the help. I was particularly pleased that you allowed me to edit the video on the big-screen launch. Having to learn how to use a new program on the computer was challenging but good fun and experience. You all helped me brilliantly."

"Valuable work experience"

Charity Smith did work experience in 2007. As her placement came to an end she was offered jobs at the newly reopened Wyvern Theatre. Charity reports: "I enjoyed meeting and communicating with like-minded arts managers and colleagues and found good dynamics within the team. I gained a lot more experience than I anticipated. I was offered two job roles at the Wyvern Theatre as Marketing Assistant and Theatre Administrator. Working with the Arts Services (now Culture Swindon) team gave me recognition with the Wyvern and allowed me to make a good impression on them too. This experience has been highly useful to my career in Arts Management and I would recommend approaching the team to anyone also hoping to pursue this kind of career."

"I really enjoyed it"

A schoolgirl from Malmesbury completed work experience at the Arts Centre. She emailed us, "I would just like to thank you all very much for allowing me to do my work experience at your theatre. I was made to feel very welcome and really enjoyed it. It's has also made me really consider it as a future career path. If you're ever looking for an extra pair of hands I would definitely be interested! Thanks once again and good luck for future performances."

"Excellent insight"

Hannah Sturman also found work experience invaluable. She explains, "I did a work placement with Swindon Arts Services (now Culture Swindon) as part of my degree in Arts Management (BA Hons), working with the events team to deliver the Swindon Brunel Festival in 2006. The placement was hugely beneficial as it helped me to put lessons learnt in the lecture theatre into practice. The experience proved invaluable. I think Swindon Arts Services has a lot of passion for the arts and are committed to delivering an exciting festivals programme year after year. I would definitely recommend undertaking a placement with Swindon Arts Services as the experience gives an excellent insight into working in a professional environment."

How to find out more

Arts Centre

Technical

You would learn how to rig, design and operate lighting and sound equipment, as well as Stage Management techniques. You will carry out technical duties during a performance. This is an excellent starting ground to understanding the world of technical theatre. For information only please contact Matt Davis on 01793 466565 or email midavis@swindon.gov.uk

To request a placement please contact Human Resources Officer Nicki Jackson (telephone 01793 464865), who will get you to complete an online form.

Administration and marketing

We will show you how we market the shows, work with promoters and performers, and deal with the day-to-day running of a busy theatre. You will learn how to use the box office system, as well as helping the Duty Manager, learning the appropriate skills.

For information only please contact Nicki Western on 01793 466565 or email nwestern@swindon.gov.uk

To request a placement please contact Human Resources Officer Nicki Jackson (telephone 01793 464865), who will get you to complete an online form.

Create Studios

We offer a variety of work experience within Create Studios, covering all aspects of film and digital media. For information only please contact John Farrow on 01793 465336 or email jfarrow@swindon.gov.uk

To request a placement please contact Human Resources Officer Nicki Jackson (telephone 01793 464865), who will get you to complete an online form.

University or college students

To request a placement please contact Human Resources Officer Nicki Jackson (telephone 01793 464865), who will get you to complete an online form.

Swindon Does Arts website (www.swindondoesarts.co.uk)