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The second Arts Administration Recruitment Day, presented by HKAAA, has been successfully held on last Saturday 31 January 2015. 11 arts organizations joined as recruiters, providing more than 25 job vacancies for on-site application and interview. More than 200 participants attended for talks and job applications. Thank you very much for your support! HKAAA would like to extend our gratitude to Classified Post (SCMP), our exclusive media partner of the second recruitment day, guest speakers, Celina, Andy and Natalie, and volunteers who helped make this event possible.
“Is it very difficult to get into the arts administration field?” This question is always raised by participants at recruitment talks and the last two arts administration recruitment days. My answer is usually “No”, but I would like to remind anyone who is interested in joining the sector not to have fancy impressions of the job. I would ask them if they had participated in any arts related work, paid or voluntary. I always recommend students to participate in organizing arts activities inside or outside school, and those who are working to join voluntary work in holding arts events. That way, they can familiarize themselves with the practical situation of working in the arts administration sector before considering becoming practitioners themselves. And experience in organizing arts activities is preferred by arts organizations for recruitment.
When I was a student, I was close with my music teacher being a soprano in the school choir and the only solo singer chosen as the school representative to join singing contests. My music teacher would ask me to coordinate music performances for significant occasions in school. He would pick the scores, and I would look after the rest of the work. My responsibilities included selecting choir members (I was familiar with everyone’s capabilities in music parts), instrument players, arranging practices and other details related to performance (I had to sing as well of course!). I was involved in school drama productions, which included team work in scriptwriting, costume design, audio arrangements etc. I had also organized inter-school drama competitions, singing contests. Arts administration had not been foreign to me even back in the days when I was a student. My experience and understanding in arts administration gained during my school days have helped me get into the sector and get accustomed to its practices.
I would like to share with you the charms and challenges of arts administration work by quoting from the “4 pieces of advice for a career in arts leadership” by Mr Anthony Sargeat, CBE, General Director of Sage Gateshead, the renowned concert venue and centre for musical education in England.
1. Understand your industry
"In any industry you need a genuine interest in, and understanding of, the content of that industry to be a credible and effective manager.
"Work/life balances are different from industry to industry. For example, performing arts management typically involves constant evening and weekend working, on top of Monday-Friday times, so it makes demands some other careers don’t make."
2. Get training and mentoring
"At senior levels, I have found experience gained from working is more valuable. But earlier on in management, careers courses on straight-up management skills can be worth doing.
"I undertake periodic mentoring with colleagues in other companies, and also get that kind of support from constant dialogue with my colleagues inside The Sage Gateshead and beyond."
3. Qualities to be a good leader
"Sound judgment, self-belief, numeracy, articulacy, courage and personal sensitivity."
4. Love the work you do
"Only get involved if you genuinely love music. The demands of the work won’t seem worth the effort otherwise.
"The rewards are the effect our work has on the lives of people who experience it, and being part of the national and international success of Newcastle Gateshead."
No, it’s not that difficult to become an arts administrator—if you love the arts.
Written by: Ms Winona Chan, General Manager of HKAAA
Translated and edited by: Olivia Yeung