hubalicious.org - Professional Profile: Lucy O'Neill-Arts Administrator: Programme Manager

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Professional Profile: Lucy O'Neill-Arts Administrator: Programme Manager

What is your name?
Lucy O’Neill

What is your profession?
Arts Administrator: Programme Manager – Salisbury International Arts Festival

What does it entail?
I have particular focus on Literature and Special Projects within the programming department. I research artists and potential speakers and, with the other programmers, build a balanced programme of events. After that process, there is the event organising which includes contracting artists, scheduling the Festival and generally ensuring that every aspect of the event has been thought about. Next comes the event delivery. We are a small team so there everyone takes on a very hands-on role in delivering the two-week Festival.

How did you get into it?
Following university (with a degree in English Literature) I approached arts organisations for work experience, and was given a fantastic placement on the Festival of Youth Arts in London. I went back the following year and so continued to build on my Festival experience. In the interim I travelled a lot and also took on a short term placement in the education department of the ICA.

Did you need any qualifications?
No – although having A-levels and a degree helped me focus my interests.

If not, did you need any other skills to get into your profession?
Good organisational and communication skills. An ability to keep calm under pressure and a good eye for detail.

What tips would you give to someone interested in your profession?
Get relevant experience. A lot of people spend time on Events courses which can really help build contacts, networks and skills, but when we recruit we are certainly looking for additional professional experience on top of this.

How competitive is it to get into your area of work?
It seems to be very competitive.

What do you enjoy the most about your profession?
Day to day variety and seeing the two-week Festival come together.

What do you enjoy the least about your profession?
The build up of stress in the run up to the Festival

What’s the most interesting thing you have done or the most interesting person you have met?
Salisbury International Arts Festival attracts some amazing individuals. For example, in 2008 Archbishop Desmond Tutu came to the Festival – it was a wonderful experience to be part of that. In 2007 Jon Snow and John Major were interesting public figures to meet. The Festival has a different cultural focus each year and it’s very exciting learning about that and being involved with the embassies of those countries…in 2008 we launched the Festival at the South African High Commission in London and 2007 had a lot of involvement with Latin American Embassies in London.