Internship – Arts at University of Southampton Blog

Fiona Sunderland, Student Insights Coordinator, reflects on her internship

Fiona starring in the University’s ‘Making Friends and Socialising’ video

Fiona Sunderland, former SUSU Vice President Activities and now MSc Biomedical Engineering student, looks back on her internship as Student Insights Coordinator with the Arts team at University of Southampton, sharing what she has enjoyed and learnt.

After what seems like no time at all, my three-month internship has already come to an end! I’ve been working closely with the Arts and Culture Team, including our venues Turner Sims and John Hansard Gallery, to help communicate the University’s broad cultural offer to our student community – from creative student societies, to events presented by different faculties – in consultation with students over the summer. Whilst my internship may now be over, I hope to keep working with the team as I continue with my studies.

Fidelma O’Riordan reflects: How to Live

In another reflective piece, Fidelma O’Riordan – Creative Apprentice at John Hansard Gallery – shares her thoughts on How to Live by David Blandy.

How to Live (2020) is one of two digital works by artist David Blandy, specially commissioned by John Hansard Gallery to reflect on the uncertain times we currently find ourselves in. The work was first shown as part of the gallery’s online programme in June 2020 and you can still watch it here.

Fidelma O’Riordan reflects: Ancient Mariner

Today, in her second piece, Fidelma O’Riordan – Creative Apprentice at John Hansard Gallery – responds to The Ancient Mariner Big Read.

The Ancient Mariner Big Read is an inclusive, immersive work of audio and visual art reflecting the abiding influence of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 18th century epic poem and it is free to access online.

Fidelma O’Riordan reflects: Haroon Mirza

In a series of blog posts, Fidelma O’Riordan – Artswork Creative Apprentice at John Hansard Gallery – will be sharing her thoughts and reflections on various online exhibitions that have taken place as part of the Gallery’s lockdown programme.

Today, in her first piece, Fidelma shares her thoughts on Haroon Mirza’s online video exhibition entitled /\/\/\/\ /\/\/\/\, shown by John Hansard Gallery as part of Southampton Science and Engineering Festival Goes Digital 2020. You can see the exhibition here until Saturday 25 July.

Introducing Fiona Sunderland, Student Insights Coordinator with the Arts team

Fiona has enjoyed finding ways to keep busy during lockdown!

What is your role at Arts at University of Southampton?

I’ll be working as “Arts, Culture and Student Insights Coordinator” which is a fancy title I came up with to look cool on LinkedIn. In reality, it means I’ll be working closely with Louise Coysh and Jen Harris in the University’s Arts and Culture team, alongside our venues John Hansard Gallery and Turner Sims, to look at how we can develop the student experience around the University’s arts and culture offer. This involves supporting the student voice in the Heart of Campus project and city-wide cultural development. I’ll be particularly focused on making sure we have extensive student consultation and input!