Royal Society of British Artists

The Royal Society of British Artists is offering a scholarship in Rome for one month in July 2018.

This prestigious award is open to artists aged 35 years or under.

We are offering 20 semi-finalists the opportunity to exhibit some work in our ‘RBA RISING STARS’ show at the Framers Gallery in central London and the 3 finalists will also have work shown in the RBA Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, where the winner will be announced.

Further information and an application form are available to download from our website:  https://www.royalsocietyofbritishartists.org.uk/rome-scholarship/

Channel 4 Work Experience – Applications now open!

Channel 4 are now recruiting for their cohort of Work Experience!

The Work Experience will take place from the 23rd– 27th October, and will be available in teams such as Film4, Corporate Relations, Online and more!

Please note this opportunity is only for those who are 18+ and applications close on the 25th September and cannot be accepted after this date.

For more information: http://4talent.channel4.com/get-involved/work-experience

 

Meet one of our Alumni: Natasha Brown (MA Drama 2015)

  Natasha graduated in 2015 with a MA in Creative Producing. Since then she has worked at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill and the Southbank Centre as a Marketing Officer, where her main goal has been to drive new audiences to the arts. Alongside marketing, she works as a freelance producer and theatremaker.   

 

What do you value most about your time doing Drama at Kent?

 This is a hard question because I enjoyed doing so many things that it’s hard to pin point the most valuable. I guess that would be my answer… I enjoyed the variety that the degree offered. In any one term you could be learning about Shakespeare, Greek Tragedy, Naturalism or Physical Theatre. There were always really interesting subjects to study and I found that really freeing as I’m someone who likes to have multiple ideas occupying my brain.

What advice would you give to first-year student starting a BA in Drama at Kent?

Get involved in other things! It’s good to get stuck into your degree as soon as you begin your university education, however, your first year is one of the only times to truly explore the university experience before you have to get more focused. I signed up to a bunch of extracurricular activities during my first year as a way to learn more about topics that weren’t related to my degree, such as politics, sport and volunteering.

In terms of the degree, make sure you give yourself enough time to do the work properly. I’ve been guilty of one or two (or three or four!) all-nighters and not only are they unsustainable, but you do yourself an injustice because you could achieve much more with a bit more time. 

Why did you choose Kent?

As soon as I arrived on campus, I had a positive vibe about the place. It is so open and green. Canterbury is such a beautiful city that felt safe and not too far away from London which is where I’m from. My course was particularly exciting as I got to go abroad for a year and complete a Masters specialising in Creative Producing – something other universities weren’t offering.

In what ways did your degree prepare you for what you’re doing now?

 I’m fortunate in that I got a job in a theatre as soon as I graduated so I was using actual knowledge I gained from my degree straight away, such as knowing about contemporary writers, actors and directors, understanding how a theatre is run and funded, and being aware of what’s involved in staging a show.

 There are also some really basic transferable skills that my degree prepared me for such as time management, research, lateral thinking, communication and team work. It cannot be stressed enough how important these skills are in most workplaces! Fortunately, doing a degree in Drama prepares you for so much – it’s no wonder I always bump into Kent graduates in the industry.

 

 

Spotlight on: Anthony Lowery (BA Film 2012)

Anthony Lowery is a professional writer across several artistic mediums. His works have attracted the attention of various media outlets such as the BBC, as well as prestigious literary festivals, while earning him the admiration of established industry peers. With five years’ experience of entertainment journalism craft – two at senior editorial level – Anthony has grown into a reputable film critic, contributing at Empire Magazine while holding resident positions at several regional print publications. He talks below about his time at Kent.

 

What do you value most about your time doing Film at Kent?

There’s so much to be grateful for. Kent is my home from home, and I value the relationships I forged with fellow students and faculty members. Making friends (and even colleagues) was never a reason for me to go to university, but in making the most of the inter-personal aspect of being in that environment, I’ve been able to meet people whom I wouldn’t want to live without.

Surprisingly, my time studying Film at Kent bolstered my passion for the subject even more, and from that I knew I was pursuing the right path. I also value the knowledge and life skills I learned throughout the three very short years.

Why did you choose Kent?

It might sound ridiculous, but it’s almost as if Kent chose me. I think, when they visit universities during open days, a lot of students just know what is right for them. I fell in love with everything UKC had to offer, as well as the city that houses it. I could already see myself there, as a student, before I had even acquired the entry grades.

For me, there was so much to like about the place: its friendly and wooded environment, the fact it’s so large yet so self-contained that I never needed to leave campus, the on-campus cinema and theatre was appealing – especially given the nature of my course, its reputation for being one of the country’s longest running Film Studies universities… I could go on.

Sure, that’s all great stuff, but what made me consider Kent in the first place? On the wall of my A-Level classroom, my film tutor posted a list of the top fifty courses across all subjects and universities rated by its students. At number 8 was Film Studies at the University of Kent.

In what ways did your degree prepare you for what you’re doing now?

During my time at Kent, I acquired detailed insight into the workings of an industry that turned out to be tougher than I had imagined. Nonetheless, my degree (or more accurately expert lecturers) equipped me with the knowledge and technical skills to see that I at least had a fighting chance of making a success of it.

What advice would you give to first-year students starting a BA in Film at Kent?

Do what you can to have zero regrets and also try to have some idea of what it is you really want to do – then shape your choices accordingly. It’s easy, and maybe even ideal, to believe that it’s OK not know what it is you want from life post-university, but the sooner you figure that out, the more you stand to gain from your experience at Kent.

The only other piece of advice I would give is to do the work! It might sound obvious, but actually it isn’t. I’ve known students to get so distracted by the lifestyle that they neglect the very reason they’re there, and before they know it, they’re in their third year scrambling to make a 2:2.

Spend your time wisely. Don’t wish it away. And enjoy every minute.