Life as an Intern at the RWA

Hannah Hornby has been interning with the Learning and Engagement department of the RWA for the past three months. Supported by UWE (University of West of England), where she completed her degree in Fine Art last year, Hannah took the initiative to reach out to us in order to get the work experience she needed for her career as an artist and curator.

We caught up with Hannah in her final week to find out how she got on and ask if she has any wisdom for those following in her footsteps.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I graduated with a degree in Fine Art from UWE Bristol in 2024, and I am currently undertaking a Graduate Fellowship at Spike Island. Last summer I worked as an Ambassador for the British Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale (2024), and was selected for the UWE Enterprise Summer Scholarship, where I received funding to produce a series of exhibitions.

This year I have been developing my artistic and curatorial practices which investigates the interwoven relationship between humans, nature and technology and supported an ongoing interest in working collaboratively with artists.

You have been interning with us for the last three months. Can you tell us what you have been up to?

I have worked as part of several exciting and meaningful projects including, Sharing Love, an exhibition showcasing the work of BRAC (Bristol Refugee Artists Collective) members, who partnered with Dorcas Dress Project to facilitate workshops within their communities.

I have also supported various art sessions for children with SEN+D (special educational needs and disabilities) and sessions for adults with dementia. It was truly inspiring to see how the RWA made art and the building accessible to everyone, challenging the perception that art galleries can feel exclusive or intimidating.

I was also able to support the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions, gaining further technical and art handling knowledge.

I was aware that most artists also work in other, often related, areas to build a sustainable arts career.

Your internship is funded by UWE, can you tell us how that came about and what made you choose the RWA?

I found out about UWE offering the funded 148-hour Internship in my final year of university and was aware it was also available to first year graduates. I was excited to use this opportunity to gain some work experience in an arts organisation and so contacted Helen Jacobs (Head of Learning and Engagement) at the RWA. I was aware that most artists also work in other, often related, areas to build a sustainable arts career.

Curating, working in collaboration with artists and the development of art programming has always been an interest, and I was curious to be part of the outreach projects run by RWA and to learn how they fit into the context of the gallery’s exhibitions

What has been something that surprised you about your experience? Can you tell us about a memorable moment?

Since working with the Learning and Engagement department I was continuously energised by the true impact art had on the lives of individuals. One example of this was attending BRAC’s, Sharing Love, exhibition opening and being witness to the presence of a rich and vibrant community who were brought together by needle work and art education. For me this experience has shown me the value of institutions working to interweave artistic development into their programme.

What are your plans for the rest of the summer/what have you got lined up next?

My next plans are to visit the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, on my holiday to Porto, to see exhibitions including Books of Resistance - the resilience of artists’ books in the digital age and Material Evidence, which investigates identities, personal histories and the formation of memory. I will then be beginning a Curating Contemporary Art MA, at the Royal College of Arts, this autumn.

Images courtesy of Hannah Hornby.