Words: Charlotte Lafferty / Image: Ben Nankivell

After introducing themselves and explaining their slightly complicated work titles, Leanne Manfredi and Marissa Smith, both from the V&A , Andrea Houlmus from Lanternhouse and Poppy Bowers from the Wellcome Trust began the friendly discussion by explaining the ‘round and about’ ways they each got to where they are today, all admitting they didn’t follow the most traditional routes.

Marissa Smith emphasised the importance of previous job experience no matter in what sector and volunteering. She began by volunteering at the London Canal Museum and tipped us off that smaller galleries and museums are often a better starting point as they have the time and opportunity for young graduates unlike the larger big wigs such as the V & A which are often inundated with CVs for only a few positions.

Poppy Bowers, from the Wellcome Trust , agreed with this sentiment and she explained that the practical knowledge gained from volunteering for smaller galleries teach you the nuts and bolts and make you realise what you’re good at, they let ‘get your hands dirty’. Working in a small band she advises that ‘you learn so much from concept to delivery and then evaluation; the whole process’ eventually forming a richer understanding.

Despite what it seems sometimes living in this city, London isn’t the centre of the universe and there is life on Mars, and also Manchester, Newcastle and Cumbria it seems. All women advised that a smaller city can make it easier to network and learn things that in London may otherwise seem too daunting, Poppy worked in Manchester, Leanne worked at the Lowry Centre in Salford and Andrea who started off in Newcastle is now in Cumbria where there is a ‘vibrant art scene’.  However, Leanne admitted that in London there is a wealth of opportunity in London and you don’t have to look far.

The emphasis on working hard was strong, and Leanne Manfredi from the V&A boasted about a time when she had three jobs, working seven days a week only to be trumped by Andrea Houlmus from Lanternhouse International who once held down four jobs, one in which she licked envelopes for a year. Both women also admitted to jumping train fares due to their little pay, but the determination paid off.

The talk ended with the four women revealing their Top 3 tips to bear in mind for working in events, programming and curating, but the Top 3 turned into 5 and then 7 but here they are: to be organised, tough skinned (mentioned twice), dynamic, open-minded, friendly, flexible, and again friendly.

So the bottom line is to be tough and be nice, and be prepared to skip a train fare or two.