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As part of her studies, Alice embarked on an internship with , Australia’s leading organisation for the development and presentation of experimental art. Over six weeks, starting at the end of September, Alice’s journey with Performance Space was transformative.

Alice's story

• Why did you decide to do an internship at Performance Space?

I heard about the Performance Space Liveworks Internship while taking a course about working within the performing arts, and after looking into Performance Space, I realised it is exactly the kind of organisation I would love to be a part of. Performance Space uplifts risk-taking artists who are pushing the boundaries of experimental art, creating powerful works which ask us what it means to create, to connect, to be human. I have a passion for the performing arts, and was eager to make my foray into the arts world within such a critical and cutting-edge organisation.

• How did you apply?

After hearing about the internship from my course convenor, Associate Professor Erin Brannigan, I reached out via email, and she put me in touch with the CEO of Performance Space Vanessa Lloyd. I sent through my CV and after a discussion about the details of the internship via Zoom, my involvement was confirmed.  

• What did you enjoy the most? 

I really enjoyed getting to work with so many incredible creatives within the Performance Space organisation, and artists who were part of the Liveworks Festival lineup. Sitting in on the weekly group meetings was so enlightening as to how everyone’s individual parts worked to make the festival come together, and it was amazing getting to be a part of this! There was such a sense of camaraderie and support for one another, particularly in the lead up to the festival, and I really enjoyed getting to work with and learn from such a diverse and generous group of individuals.

• How were you able to apply the knowledge and skills you gained from your studies during the internship? Additionally, how were you able to then apply skills gained through the internship into your studies?

I found the writing and critical thinking skills I have developed throughout my studies in both Science and Art very helpful throughout my internship, particularly when working on audience development and outreach. Additionally, I found my experiences with group-work and collaborative theatre-making relevant when working with the Performance Space team to help the festival come to life, especially assisting the production team to prepare for works within the festival.

This internship helped me to develop my communication skills, both written and within a group collaboration context, which I have found very valuable within my studies. It has also helped me to develop more confidence within myself as a creative and a person hoping to work within the arts; I ended up assistant stage managing CRUISE by Fruit Box Theatre, directed by Performance Space Marketing Manager Sean Landis, an opportunity I would never have gotten or had the confidence to thrive in were it not for this internship.

• How can students best prepare for an internship or Work Integrated Learning experience?

I think the most important thing is to approach the opportunity with an open mind, an eagerness to learn and a willingness to ask questions – everyone was so helpful and generous during my time at Performance Space, and I learned so much! It is also good to have a look into the company or organisation that you will be interning within to gain insight into their values and goals, and how you and your role will fit into this environment. 

• What advice do you have for students seeking an internship or figuring out what may be the best fit for them?

I would suggest to keep your mind and heart open to any opportunities that you might find, even if they might be a little out of your comfort zone or area of expertise. I adore theatre and the performing arts, but I didn’t have much experience with experimental performance – however, my time with Performance Space has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities for art and performance, and to a newfound appreciation for this art-form that I will carry long beyond my studies. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to organisations you’re interested in – the worst response you’ll receive is no, and it might lead to something amazing!

Vanessa's story

• What were your hopes from this internship?

We always aim for a two-way street with our internships – we have been doing them for over 12 years, and we want students to come into a welcoming and nurturing environment where they can learn and gain skills about working in a small arts organisation. And we want to make sure they have the support system to thrive when with us. And we want to make sure they are doing appropriate work with the team to help PSpace as well.

•  What were your first impressions of Alice?

I met Alice on a Zoom meeting – she was intelligent, articulate, mature beyond her age but down to earth, I thought she’d fit in well with our team.

• How did Alice’s work help Performance Space achieve its goals?

The festival time is busy, so there is always lots to do – Alice was amazing working across programming and marketing – she was happy to jump in where needed to make sure the artists and team were supported in delivering an amazing festival. She had really great insights for engaging audiences and was very caring and professional with our artists. She was solutions driven and a team player, which was invaluable in making sure the festival was a success.

• Why did you decide to continue employment with Alice after her internship ended? 

For all the reasons above! Alice fit in well with the team and gained lots of knowledge during the internship – we love helping young arts workers on their way into the industry, so we were thrilled to be able to offer Alice a role with us over our Queer Development Program this year.

• What tips would you give to students looking to apply for this internship?

If you are interested to learn how arts organisations work – then do put your hand up! Don’t stress too much about out of university experience, we have plenty of experience working with interns at all levels of their study. We are a small team who work closely with each other and our artists, so a good calm personality with a positive outlook will go a long way to making for a really valuable internship!

To learn more about internship opportunities at the Arts & Media School, visit Internships | Arts & Media