Will the course help me get work?
There are no guarantees of work. Breaking into the scenic art world is no easier than breaking into any other field of work. However several people who have taken the course have gone on to find work within the industry. We do discuss the best way to look for work. In the end it comes down to your tenacity, employability and skill level.
What will I need to bring with me?
You will get dirty and covered in paint so wear old clothes and shoes, or bring overalls. There are plenty of places to buy lunch and a nice park to eat sandwiches in.
How many places are there on the course?
All the courses are restricted to six places. The summer course tends to book out quite early so you are advised to act quickly once dates are announced.
How do I book and what about a deposit?
Simply send me an email requesting a place on the course. I will then send you payment details. Your place on the course will then be reserved for ten days to allow you to make a payment of one third of the fee. Once I have received this I will confirm your place in writing. The course is run on a first come first served basis.
Who is the course aimed at?
Perhaps the most important question. So far students have fallen into two groups. Either they are art graduates who have decided to pursue a career in scenic painting or they want to pursue a related area such as theatre design and feel the course will broaden their knowledge base. Most fall into the first group. For some, fine artists for instance, this is the first experience of painting scenery. Some have studied theatre design and have had limited experience of scenic art already. Either way you will be competing for work with those who have studied scenic art in greater detail on longer courses when you go out into the market place. There are almost no full time jobs as a scenic artist in the UK so you will be looking for freelance work. This means that you will have to be a good networker, tenacious and organised and you will need to be able to cope with an income that will be patchy to start off with. That said, in each of the past two years students have found work after the course. Please ring James if you would like to discuss this further.
Are there any entry qualifications?
So far all the student who have completed the course have been arts graduates. However this is not an entry qualification and you are welcome to apply without a degree.