James Pantefedwyn Foundation

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Sara Alis Wiliam

I am extremely grateful for the support I received from the James Pantyfedwen Foundation. Without this grant, I would not have been able to accept an offer to study for an MA in Arts and Culture Management at King's College, London (KCL). 

After gaining a first class BA degree in BA Philosophy and Religion from Cardiff University and working for two years for an arts organization in Cardiff, I felt the need to broaden my knowledge of the arts sector in the UK. The MA course at KCL was the perfect opportunity to do just that. I studied various modules such as 'Cultural Policy', 'Arts Funding', 'Creativity Management' and 'Audience Development'. I was also selected to follow a competitive module led by the Tate Museum called 'Working in a Museum: behind the scenes at Tate'. This was a great module, which included weekly lectures by the Tate staff themselves, as well as an opportunity to expand my professional network. Another motivational module was 'Cultural Management: The Experience'. This module also featured different guest speakers discussing their experiences of working in the arts. I was particularly inspired by the seminars led by Gus Casely-Hayford - director of V&A East - and Helen Marriage - director of Artichoke. 

My dissertation focused on equal representation within the visual arts, and I researched the visual strategies of the Guerrilla Girls and The White Pube, two groups of artistic activists, of raising awareness of inequality within the sector. Having discussed such an important and current topic, I am delighted to report that I received a first class degree for the work. 

This course was a key step in my professional development and I now feel more passionate and enthusiastic than ever aout the arts. A month after completing the course, I accepted a new position with Aloud in Cardiff. The skills and contacts I have developed over the past year will greatly assist me in my new role, and once again I would like to thank the James Pantyfedwen Foundation for their support.