Lecturing Academy 2018

Eleven young hopefuls arrived at Woodbrooke in Birmingham on Sunday 12th August prepared to spend four intensive days learning how to be a good presenter. This was the second time The Arts Society has run its Lecturing Academy and the first time it’s been held in Birmingham with help from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. 

As an ice breaker, our academicians presented a short pre-prepared talk so they could see what skills they needed to work on during the course. They faced their fears, looked at how to put together their content and how to create a narrative structure. Arts Society Lecturer Nicola Moorby talked about technology and the life of a freelance lecturer. At the Barber Institute our young lecturers were given a rare opportunity to access the curatorial files so they could create an impromptu two minute talk on a particular work of art. 

A whole day was devoted to voice presentation and using your body to get your message across. It’s safe to say that James Hartman, our fantastic coach, did a terrific job on their skills as orators and made it such fun! 

The course culminated in the academicians presenting ten minute talks to an audience of Arts Society members and friends. They were treated to a smorgasbord of delights on every topic from mediaeval notions of time, via representations of race in surrealist circles, to the work of several of the talented practising artists on the course. 

In all, an exhausting but fascinating experience for everyone concerned and lots of potential new young lecturers for The Arts Society!