Tate Champion

As part of our partnership with Tate Liverpool, we offer a Tate Champion opportunity for a current student. Here we meet BA (Hons) Fine Art student Carmela Hodgson to find out more on what the role includes:

Could you explain how you heard about the Student Champion opportunity?

I heard about this opportunity through a Facebook post on the ‘BCU School of Art Freshers 2018’ page. I was encouraged to join this page during my enrolment at BCU - and I’m glad I did because there are so many great opportunities like the ambassador role posted on this page!

What does the role involve?

This role includes being an ambassador for Tate, by promoting the three year partnership Tate Liverpool have with Birmingham City University, through events such as applicant taster days and freshers fairs. With this role, I also get to travel up to Tate Liverpool throughout the year to take part in events, and find out more about the arts in relation to the cultural sector.

How much interaction do you have with the Tate?

I have been regularly in contact with Tate throughout the year, and have been to visit Tate Liverpool three times so far. These visits included an introduction to the ambassador role, a research trip for a live brief intervention project, and a careers talks day. I am also going back to Tate Liverpool in June, for the opening of the Keith Haring exhibition. My first port of contact at Tate is Robina from the education department - she is super helpful and always responds to any questions I have.

What has been your favourite element of the role so far?

I think that the experience as a whole has been amazing! But my favourite element of the role so far has definitely been the careers talks at Tate Liverpool. Listening to the staff talk about their artistic interests and their career journey was fascinating to listen to.

How have you balanced your work alongside being a Tate Champion?

It has been challenging to keep on top of everything! But I think that organisation is key to balancing my time efficiently. I keep a diary of all the dates I need to attend applicant taster days and Tate Liverpool events, so I plan all my work around them key dates. This has worked out for me really well, with the bonus that the role is also enriching my studies!

You can keep up with Carmela's blog, documenting more about her experience as a Tate Ambassador.