Events

Overview

Join us for an introduction to networking, thinking about what it is, and where you might make professional connections. Take part in discussions: What do you love about networking? What do you hate about networking? How could you feel more comfortable? How do you follow up with your new contacts? Write an elevator pitch and practice it in pairs to get ready for some real industry networking. 

Rachel Moss (she/her) is a Freelance Arts Educator and Evaluator who previously set up the Young People’s Programme at the National Portrait Gallery, London. Rachel’s current work supports young people - particularly those who are under-represented - on their progression routes into working in the museum sector by mentoring, setting up traineeships, and evaluating careers programmes. She is currently evaluating the Foundling Museum’s Tracing Our Tales traineeships for care experienced young people, Tate’s internal mentoring programme which matches staff with Tate Collective Producers, and the work experience and traineeship programmes for disabled and neurodiverse young people at the National Paralympic Heritage Trust. In addition, she is carrying out research on work experience, work placements and inclusive pathways for the Group for Education in Museums (GEM). 

Skills you can gain from this opportunity:

By attending this opportunity we hope you will develop your skills in:  

• Professional and Business Skills  
• Communication and Collaboration  
• Career Readiness 

Arts Programme Skills Recognition framework

Bios for invited facilitators 

Ashley Almeida from the British Museum

Ashley Almeida (he/him) has worked in the museum and heritage sector for over a decade on programmes which widen access and participation for different groups. Ashley currently runs the British Museum’s Young People’s Programme which aims to open up the collection and create relevant and interesting programming co-designed with the Museum’s Youth Collective.

Amy van Zyl from Royal Museums Greenwich

Amy van Zyl (she/they) is a creative producer, working with young people across varied participatory programmes, workshops, and live events, including her role as the Youth Programmes Producer at Royal Museums Greenwich. Amy believes in youth-led and co-created projects, and has worked in theatre, youth club, community centre, and museum settings. The best bit about her job is supporting young audiences to feel comfortable and to try their best, by listening to what they need, how they feel, and what they are passionate about!

Sophie Bownes from New Contemporaries 

Sophie Bownes (she/her) is the Assistant Curator at New Contemporaries. Dedicated to supporting emerging and early career visual artists, she works across the production of New Contemporaries national touring exhibition, artist development and residency programmes. Sophie is also part of the collective Against the Run of Play, curating and commissioning new artworks, and creating spaces for female, non-binary and queer people to come together, champion and empower marginalised football fans and players.

Zoë Lake Thomas at London Transport Museum 

Zoë Lake Thomas (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Young People’s Skills Programmes at London Transport Museum (LTM). Over the last 10 years Zoë has worked in co-production with young people and communities at the British Museum, Horniman Museum and Gardens, and the Science Museum before joining the team at LTM. This has included working on the Somali Object Journeys Project, co-producing the welcome film for the Horniman World Gallery, and creative co-production projects with London Science City. In her role at LTM, Zoë has previously managed creative programming, including apprenticeships and Young Freelancers, and now has a role managing programming supporting young people into careers in museums and transport.

Leah Morris from the South London Gallery 

Leah Morris (she/her) has worked at South London Gallery for nine years on multiple education programmes, and she currently works on the Schools and Families programmes as the Communities and Learning Programmes Manager. Her work has mainly centred around creative workshops for children and families, schools, and programming around food and cooking. Leah studied BA Filmmaking at Kingston University and now works on her own visual storytelling practice in her spare time.