Applications for our Summer 2023 programme are now closed.
Please check back again in early 2024 for details on the Summer 2024 programme.
Summer Work Experience Programme
At Art UK, we are passionate about providing opportunities to young people with ambitions to pursue a career in the arts and heritage sector. As part of this, we run a Summer Work Experience Programme.
Each year we host eight enthusiastic participants between the ages of 16 and 24. The Summer Work Experience Programme runs online and is open to applicants from throughout the UK.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries, particularly individuals who experience physical, mental, or social barriers to accessing the arts.
About the opportunity
Participants join us for a week-long online placement where we involve them fully in our work. We schedule a full programme of activities that will enable participants to develop skills, build confidence, and learn more about the variety of career opportunities available in the arts and heritage sector.
It is a very well-planned work experience programme led by a friendly team that will make you feel welcomed and comfortable
The programme involves spending time with different teams in our organisation: Commercial, Content, Copyright & Licensing, Development, Digitisation, HR, Operations & Resourcing, and Learning & Engagement. The tasks carried out closely relate to our core activities and the projects taking place during the given time period, with tasks closely mirroring activities undertaken by each team to give an understanding of the type of work carried out on a day-to-day basis at Art UK.
Where possible, we will arrange for participants to spend up to one day of the work experience placement with a local collection whose artworks are on Art UK. Please note that visits to collections will be dependent on the availability of collections in the participant's local area.
I never felt bored and I was constantly challenged
At the end of the placement, participants have a reflection and careers session with our HR, Operations and Resourcing team. In this we offer advice and tips on finding paid and voluntary positions, spend time looking at the application and recruitment process, offer advice on writing applications and CVs, and share tips on how to prepare for and conduct yourself during interviews, with both employment and further education in mind. We also encourage all staff members involved in the programme to speak about their own careers, to give an insight into the different career paths that have brought staff to their current roles.
We ask all applicants to complete a short questionnaire as part of the application so that we may use responses to tailor activities to areas of interest, where possible. Throughout the placements, we encourage participants to give their free opinion and provide feedback to ensure they get the most out of their week with us, and to help us develop our programme.
Key information
- Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with a one-hour lunch break
- The programme will be delivered online and remotely
- Participants must have computer access with a stable internet connection, and ideally the facility to undertake video conference calls via Zoom or similar
- Applications are open to participants aged 16 to 24
- We particularly welcome applications from individuals who experience physical, mental, or social barriers to accessing the arts
Please note that we only take on one individual per week to ensure we can provide the best support and experience possible to all participants.
How to apply
Please check this page in early 2024 for details on how to apply for the Summer 2024 programme.