Education and professional training

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FSA Forest School Association Level 2 Assistant                                                                                                                                         Pending Certificate

FAA Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid (RQF)                                                                                                                                                     February 2018

NSPCC Child Protection in Scotland (CPD Certified)                                                                                                                                         December 2017

Full PVG Disclosure and Membership                                                                                                                                                                         June 2014                                                                     

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art                                                                                                                        September 2013 - May 2016

BA hons Performance Costume (First Class)

City College, Brighton.                                                                                                                                                                    September 2011 - June 2012  BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma Art & Design.  (Distinction)  

 

Employment History

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Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh: Costume Production Artist                                                                       October 2017 and 2018 - December 2017 and 2018                                            

I provided costume sessions to engage disadvantaged school groups in the Lyceum’s winter season production.

• Visited eight schools to discuss the role of costumes in defining a character within a theatrical performance. 

• Led a design activity in each school: pupils created unique and imaginative pieces using textile collage. 

 

National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh: Gallery Educator                                                                                                          September 2017 - Present                                             

I work across all four NGS Galleries as a freelance educator, providing discovery sessions, workshops and talks to visitors, families and groups from educational institutions

• Plan, develop and lead tours and discovery session of the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions attuned to audiences varying from early year’s learners to adult groups. Inform, challenge and encourage visitors to think about artworks critically. 

• Devise, plan, and lead practical art workshops for education groups. 

• Research art and continuously develop my knowledge to ensure that I provide a broad and incisive commentary.

 

Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh: Freelance Educator                                                                                                                                      April 2017 - June 2019

 

As part of the Creative Learning Team, I predominantly worked within Jupiter Foundation’s free learning programme.

• Led schools tours drawing cross-curricular links through discussions of themes and concepts within contemporary art.

• Provide practical sculpture workshops responding to the artists and pieces within the collection.

• Led and assist the set-up and delivery of children’s art and outdoor education courses and regular Littlesparks sessions

 

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh: Education Officer                                                                                                                           March 2017 - June 2019

 

Based at the Education Centre in the Zoo, I led groups of up to 28 children in wildlife education and conservation activities. I developed this paid role from weekly voluntary work that I conducted from September 2014 onwards.

• Plan wildlife sessions, produce thorough lesson plans for indoor and outdoor conservation games, crafts and visits. Source materials and produce behavioural plans, costings and budgets.

• Lead activities, deliver educational natural history and wildlife sessions, and manage group safety in the zoo.

• Engage visitors via conversation, animal handling sessions, and touch tables featuring skulls, pelts and casts.

 

Abbeyhill Primary, Edinburgh: Artist in Residence                                                                                                             September 2016 - September 2017

 

I independently coordinated, planned and delivered sessions for pupils at Abbeyhill Primary. I ran the afterschool art club and have worked with P6 on a Dazzle costume project in association with Edinburgh Art Festival.

• Planned original art sessions, resourced imagery and materials, and planned, budgeted and costed activities.

• Delivered art classes, encouraged evaluative discussion about artworks and the children’s own creations.

• Produced a group art piece with P2-4 pupils on commission from the local MSP. Our work was formally presented and is still displayed at the Scottish Parliament.

 

Freelance Art Tutor, Edinburgh                                                                                                                                                         September 2016 - Present 

 

Alongside my work in gallery education, I lead sessions within arts programmes of a number of other organisations. 

• Established, plan, develop, market, facilitate and lead primary art classes at Out of the Blue Drill Hall.

• Lead Lightbulb Arts classes at Sciennes Primary, plan and support the delivery of weekly afterschool sessions.

• Taught garment construction, pattern cutting and hand sewing, classes at Edinburgh Sewcial Club.

• Led ‘Creative Adventure’ sessions for children with additional support needs and their families at WHALE Arts Agency.

• Taught fine art skills weekly with The Art Club Canonmills,  tutoring drawing and painting technique.

• Instigated and led a programme of Scottish art history evening classes for East Renfrewshire Council.

• Planned and delivered art sessions for the Fruitmarket Gallery: devised workshops within the gallery space for young teens.

 

Edinburgh Palette, Edinburgh: Art Tutor                                                                                                                                  September 2016 - October 2018

 

I taught art to primary children and developed the centre’s outreach programme, which involved sourcing and applying for funding.

• Planned activities based on the work of specific artists ensuring sessions are suitable for a range of abilities. 

• Introduced new artistic ideas and techniques and encouraged experimentation in a variety of artistic materials.

• Coordinated events such as: open days, Scottish Storytelling Centre and Beltane activities, and adult craft evenings.

 

Starcatchers, Fife: Expecting Something Emerging Artist                                                                                                  September 2016 - December 2016

 

I planned and delivered sessions that engaged both parents and babies during a 10 week bursary scheme as an emerging artist.

• Provided a social, creative space accessible for families in alignment with Starcatchers aims

• Sourced materials adhering to a budget, planning craft activities achievable in a short time frame

 

Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh: Dazzle Hub Manager                                                                                                       August 2016 - September 2017                                                                                           

I engaged children and families in the Dazzle project through creative activities. I managed the Dazzle Hub during the Edinburgh Art Festival 2016 and, on request, I stayed on to plan and deliver workshops in schools, communities and for the 2017 Festival.                                                                                                    

• Operated the Dazzle Hub, at which families participated in drop-in art activities inspired by the Dazzle Ship commission: planned and facilitated the workshops and creative activities; conducted Hub admin

• Managed the volunteers and acted as a point of contact for visitors at the Hub

• Conducted engagement research at the Dazzle ship.

• Planned, resourced and delivered drop in family sculpture activities at the BBC tent in coordination with EAF’s 2017 commissions programme, ran a large scale collaborative sculpture session for Edinburgh Playdays on behalf of EAF.

• Planned and delivered creative workshops in schools: coordinated large scale panel painting with 90 P5 pupils at Trinity Primary; planned and ran a series of workshops at Hermitage Park Primary; ran the children’s Sprogmanay event at The National Museum of Scotland, in 2016.

 

Just So Festival, Cheshire: Creative Programming Team                                                                                                               August 2015, August 2016                                             

As part of a group I realised an aesthetic vision for a family festival.        

• Styled the site in advance of its opening: painted signs, made and rejuvenated props and costumes.

• Ran creative activities during the festival, delivered craft and costume sessions, and enacted theatrical roles.

 

Imaginate Festival, Edinburgh: Festival Assistant                                                                                May 2015, May 2016, May 2017, May 2019, May 2019                                                                                                        

I took on a front of house role at Imaginate, having worked in a similar position at the 2013 Brighton Festival.

• Guided school groups and families at performances across a range of venues.

• Welcomed delegates at social events and industry discussions. 

 

Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh: Volunteer                                                                                                                                                          August 2015                                                                                                                              

I orientated and engaged visitors in art, while invigilating exhibitions, manning the kiosk, and assisting at Art Late.

 

Penicuik Community Learning and Development, Penicuik: Volunteer                                                                                                April 2015 - April 2016                                                               

I assisted New Vintage Sewing, a club for young teenage girls. 

• Presented examples from my portfolio to demonstrate further education opportunities and creative careers.

• Helped individuals develop their practical textiles skills alongside pattern cutting and garment tailoring. 

 

Craigmillar Community Arts Centre, Edinburgh: Volunteer                                                                                                                 April 2015 - August 2015                                                                                

I co-taught drawing and painting technique at a weekly women’s class.

 

Kidzcare, Edinburgh: Childcare Play Worker and Room Leader                                                                                                          July 2014 - August 2016                                                                                                                                                                                          

After a short period of time at the Kidzcare playscheme I was promoted to Room Leader. 

• Rested and engaged the children in a variety of activities, led outings and managed difficult behaviour..

• Co-ordinated trips and activities for 4-5 staff responsible for 5-6 children with a range of physical and learning support needs

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