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Ellie Pink, Head Office Volunteer
I first learned about The Art Fund from a magazine advertisement while I was finishing my A-levels in Lancaster. Then, while completing my BA in History of Art in London, I volunteered at the The Art Fund head office. Over the last year I have, on and off, had the pleasure of helping the events team send out mailings, recruit members and learn invaluable lessons in fundraising. I have also had the opportunity to participate in events such as the Olympia Art Fair and the London Art Fair. These experiences have helped me develop my knowledge and skills within art administration, and have ultimately helped me figure out what direction I would like my career to go. Volunteering at The Art Fund, while studying at university, has been a great experience and I would recommend volunteering here to any student who is looking to gain experience in the art world while completing their degree. |
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Dianne Page, Volunteer Committee Member - PR, Warwickshire As a relative newcomer to The Art Fund and a committee member for just a couple of years, I am really enjoying working with new-found friends, artists and the curators of local galleries to organise events for our membership; events which not only broaden our knowledge and understanding of art, but also help raise money for future acquisitions. Selfishly, my volunteering ensures that I keep contact with the History of Art Department at the University of Warwick, where I have just finished a Masters. It also provides me with the opportunity to practise my PR skills from pre-retirement years and it is particularly pleasing to develop relationships with the local media who are extremely supportive in raising the profile of The Art Fund and the Warwickshire events. I have been really pleased with the results so far and am very happy to help any other branch thinking of ramping up its profile. |
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Bob Gowland, Volunteer Representative for Cheshire After thirty years as a Director of an International Auction House, and part of that time in the US, I was always aware of The Art Fund and the important part it has played in saving Art for the Nation. If one enjoys what an organisation does and feels it could go forward, one inevitably has to stand up and be counted. I had found the members who attend events were, and are, generally very pleasant and interested. Cheshire fundraises mostly by running lectures, and as I have many knowledgeable friends in the art world and I myself also lecture, I felt I could help the organisation of our fundraising lectures. I was 'volunteered' to take on the chairmanship of our county! In the event I could not have had more help and support from my excellent and able committee. We trust therefore that we will be able to continue enjoy successfully raising funds. |
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Jane Yates, Volunter Regional Representative, Essex I often say to potential REACH volunteers that it is important to support a charity in which you have a real interest and this is as important as your experience and background. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work for The Art Fund in organising visits to so many fascinating places and the appreciation of Art Fund members for everything we do as volunteers makes it all worthwhile. If you love art, enjoy working with friendly people who share your love of art and welcome the opportunity to see some of the best arts heritage around you, there can be fewer more rewarding volunteering roles. |
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Richard Fowler, Volunteer Advisor, London A passion for the cause and a skill set that may help it - those are the key ingredients of a rewarding experience working for a charity. I have always loved art in all its forms and believed that everything should be done to keep as much as possible of it in the public domain so all can enjoy it. That, of course, is what The Art Fund is all about. And given the lamentable state of government funding The Art Fund plays an ever increasingly vital role. I had been on the creative side of advertising and retired at the wonderfully early age of 55. I wrote to David Barrie, then Director of The Art Fund, to ask whether I could be of any help. It so happened that a new Marketing and Development Director had just been appointed and that a major review of all the communication and visual identity for the organisation was one of her first priorities. So I became a consultant through all the process, using my experience working for an advertising agency. The result of all this work is now well and truly launched. It is helping The Art Fund more visibility and attract more and more members. I am still actively involved on the marketing and communication side. Working with The Art Fund has been - and still is - an incredibly rewarding experience. The people are so enthusiastic and grateful, almost embarrassingly so. And I have gained so much knowledge about the world of art. Perhaps you too could help The Art Fund. You may be good at organising functions, have great fund-raising ideas, or great networking skill. Maybe you have good contacts in the art world, or just want to help in any capacity. But above all, you feel that The Art Fund is a fantastic cause. |
| Lesley Taylor, Volunteer Regional Representative,
Durham & Cleveland, and Volunteer Regional Chair, North
Through my involvement with The Friends of The Bowes Museum, I had heard a lot about the role of The Art Fund and their vital role in providing grants to local museums. Already a member, I agreed to join the Durham and Cleveland committee in 2004. I could see how skills I had learned from The Friends could be turned to help The Art Fund. Our committee of 10 meets five times per year. With so many committee members we have a good cross-section of skills and local knowledge. They’re so enthusiastic. They’re always prepared to try out new ideas and see what happens. About three years ago we realised that we were in danger of organising events near to, or on the same day as other local arts and friends organisations and that the events themselves may even be very similar. Many of us are members of more than one organisation and felt that it would be much better for us all if we cooperated with one another instead of trying to compete. Representatives from these seven organisations decided to meet twice a year and exchange as many dates as possible resulting in a useful ‘clash chart’ for the area. We have also found that we can help one another with ideas and exchange good experiences as well as relating any problems we might have encountered when we have organised events. We meet centrally, have coffee and swap dates – it is very easy really and we all find it worthwhile! One of the main incentives is seeing how our regional museums benefit from our hard work. It really does make our involvement so worthwhile when you see how valued grants from The Art Fund are in helping secure works of art for local museums. |
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Diana Flint, Volunteer Regional Representative, Shropshire When my predecessor put a "two liner" at the top of her last newsletter asking "is there anyone out there who would like to take over", a chord was struck! Here, potentially, was my chance to work locally in my lovely county of Shropshire as well as nationally for a significant art charity. I love art, had recently moved back from London to my native Shropshire, had loved the things my predecessor had organised and was keen to pitch in! A committee was formed from friends and supporters. Shropshire members love the chance to participate in many and varied Art Fund experiences. We are often fortunate and privileged to be invited behind the scenes at public or private venues. This is largely due to the respect commanded by The Art Fund itself. I find it most stimulating and satisfying to research these venues with help from the committee. Our committee really pushed the boat out in 2008 by organising a Country House Car Boot Sale, Art Fair and Food Fair at Weston Park. This was immensely satisfying, yet hard work, but we had support from the head office team all the way. How exciting for our committee to know that through our own efforts, the £23,000 raised can make a significant contribution to the purchase of a work of art for our area! This is a very special feeling. We all gained in experience, expertise and confidence and the best thing is that the committee are still holding together! I am not expecting my own "two liner" to appear just yet, but that when it does, I hope the person who takes over has as much fun, satisfaction and stimulation as I have done! |
To find our more, download our Volunteering Information Pack (PDF) or contact Rosalie Neath on 020 7225 4863.
