How do you develop your career?
Initially, I completed my first year at University, and then I left University, I took a break, I went to Australia and lived there for a couple of years. I lived in Melbourne for a while then I moved to Sydney, and I had a wonderful time when I was there, I met extraordinary people and had wonderful experiences. Eventually though, I finished my degree
What happens then?
I came back to Northern Ireland and decided that I needed to establish some roots here. I really was trying to figure out how I would pay my way while working in the arts. I found a studio, I was looking for places to put on my own shows. I was working in hospitality and then I was able to put on my first show at The Safehouse Gallery. I eventually found community arts and I have been working in the arts ever since.
What attracted you to community arts?
This happened in 2010. I wanted to get out of hospitality and I wanted to work in the arts full-time. I applied for a job as a Cultural Development Officer with the Greater Shankill Partnership. I got that job, and during that time I found I really loved community arts. I worked with a number of organisations, then I met organisations like Terra Nova Productions, Eastside Arts, Seacourt Print Workshop, to name a few, and I worked repeatedly with them for many years.
What kind of work did you do?
I have worked with Terra Nova for almost ten years. I initially went in to work on a development weekend. I have facilitated a lot of workshops for Terra Nova, and I was working on project managing a show just recently. I also worked on their 15th birthday celebrations.
I have also worked with Seacourt Print Workshop in Bangor, I ran a project over 5 years and I have found the projects I have been part of with that organisation extremely rewarding. And I worked with Eastside Arts on their Home Project, and Artful Ageing project for a number of years and again I have really enjoyed that work.
To see more of Clinton’s work below.
