R: Welcome to ‘Talking Intern’ a podcast by five trainee curators working in museums and galleries across Cornwall.
Sa: We’ll be discussing what goes on behind the scenes at cultural institutions.
K: And asking questions like,
Si: Well if a museum is closed to the public then is it still a museum?
L: What does a curator actually do?
R: And do all museum professionals get to wear hats like Indiana Jones?
Sa: If you're thinking about getting started as a museum professional, we're here to share with you some of our experiences and lessons learned, setbacks and successes, from the early stages of our careers.
K: So join us,
Si: Sian, from Wheal Martyn Clay Works, a Victorian china clay works in Mid-Cornwall
Sa: Sarah, from Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum
K: Katie, also from Bodmin Keep!
L: Lizzie, from Falmouth Art Gallery
R: And Rachel, from the Museum of Cornish Life
Si: As we make a daring attempt to break into the museum…
R: … industry
Si: industry, yes that’s what I meant…
Sa: Here’s a taste of some of the conversations we’ve been having.
K: And I’ve always thought of museum exhibitions as plays every single aspect has to be rehearsed and planned out from the lighting to the colour of the object backgrounds, to the tech, and the layout of how the visitors go round the room.
L: I wouldn’t be put off by your background, like I’m from a very Northern working-class background, we didn’t visit many museums when I was a child. We went to local National Trust places and saw them, but even if you find them slightly intimidating if you want to work in a museum don’t let your background put you off.
R: Sarah, can I ask, do you have walking boots and a wetsuit because you really need those to you know, survive here?
[Laughing]
Sa: I have my walking boots but I was not planning on going into the sea until like at least July so no worries about that
R: Summer we will make sure that you get in.
Si: We’ll give you a proper Cornish welcome at some point.
Sa: Sounds fantastic. I have been having a pasty like every weekend so... [Laughs]
K: This podcast has been kindly supported by Cornwall Museums Partnership, Cornwall Council, the John Ellerman Foundation, Cultivator, European Structural and Investment Funds, and Arts Council England.
L: You can listen to this podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts and wherever else you find your podcasts.
R: Our first episode will be coming soon, so don't miss it! Make sure you subscribe so you can be notified as soon as it's released.
Si: You can also follow us on Twitter @CornwallInterns, all one word, to keep up to date on what we're doing in the museums around Cornwall. See you soon!