Being a young ambassador ‘inspired me to bring about change’

At UNBOXED we support young people’s creative ambitions by offering them opportunities to develop their skills, create work and collaborate with – and learn from – established professionals. 

To achieve that aim, we created the Young Ambassadors programme, providing training, mentoring, networking and employment opportunities to help young people taking the first steps in their career. 

We asked three Young Ambassadors to share their perspective on their participation in the programme, and what skills they will be taking into the next stage of their careers and personal development. 

Leah Gowing, 24, from Coventry

My most recent work was an architectural traineeship on PoliNations, commissioned by UNBOXED, which was a free pop-up festival that brought nature, design and performance to the Birmingham community, especially to those who wouldn’t normally attend arts-based events. 

PoliNations was an incredible example of how green spaces can provide inspiration and connection for communities, despite all our differences. After all, we are stronger together, and now is a more important time than ever for us to save our fauna and flora, to live more locally, and to support one another.

That loving sentiment being said, we still have a long way to go to make large-scale events carbon neutral. It’s inspired me to bring about change within my own artistic practice, so I’ve setup a waste-bin for all the off-cuts and materials in my art collection to create some abstract sculptural paintings that highlight the environmental issues within our industry. 

Working on PoliNations has helped to progress a project I’ve been curating. For over a year I’ve been wanting to create a discussion piece about climate change, without it being super depressing. Rather, it’s an appreciation for nature and the way it connects us all through its mycelial web. The architectural and immersive nature of PoliNations made me recognise how interactive elements make art more accessible and impactful. 

Working with UNBOXED has given me more confidence in my own ideas and I now feel able to pursue this vision into a reality. I’m currently learning about events management and freelancing, along with other skills. I feel these need strengthening, and I can’t wait to better understand how to approach a gallery/events space to work the logistics of an exhibition. 

I’m grateful to be receiving this expertise and support and I hope that it will set a standard within the industry and education settings to make this taught as a common practice.

Imaan Samson, 22, from Croydon 

My understanding of augmented reality (AR) was limited before joining StoryTrails. As a recent film graduate, I was seeking marketing positions. But through the various workshops, networking and projects surrounding immersive tech, I gradually began to find my passion in merging filmmaking and creative technologies.

As a storyteller, StoryTrails was a perfect match for me. They sought emerging storytellers to work with world-class companies such as StoryFutures, Nexus Studios, BFI and others. I enjoyed getting hands-on experience with AR and learning how this technology is advancing community interaction. As part of the placement, we were provided with free training from StoryFutures Academy, the UK’s national centre for immersive storytelling run by Royal Holloway, University of London.

This community has helped me make valuable connections. It’s also been interesting to learn more about the history and culture of Sheffield. It shed light on one of the UK’s only female scissor-maker’s personal journey using AR, displaying where history happened. 

This experience has given me new skills in creativity, public speaking, intersectional collaboration, storytelling and networking. With these skills, I will be able to create amazing AR experiences for diverse communities. I am inspired to start my own creative project that blends AR with my Caribbean heritage, exploring my connection with it. 

I have always loved mixing different perspectives together, and I believe this project will be the perfect way to display my growth within AR. It’s in the early stages, but I’m excited to start working on it, and I’m sure it will resonate with people from all over the world.

Raphaella Philcox, 24, from Warwickshire

I worked as a trainee design assistant on PoliNations, initially alongside my studies. I thought I was confident in my skills but quickly learned I’d just become comfortable working and sharing within my uni. Suddenly faced with industry professionals in a paid position, imposter syndrome started to creep in and I almost couldn’t believe I was getting paid for my work. 

Designers Bronia Housman and Carl Robertshaw were our biggest champions and always encouraged our best work. Their belief in us and openness to chat about life as a freelance designer was useful and reassuring for me. 

The work varied from research tasks to creating design renders in Photoshop and each successful task boosted my confidence in my skills. I think what scared me most was creating technical drawings to a professional standard. I’d only learned how to do this digitally on Vectorworks earlier in the year but I loved the challenge of exercising this new skill on a live project. 

Following this, Bronia encouraged me to give Rhino 3D a go. I knew the software but had never considered myself a digital practitioner and this put me off trying. By the afternoon I was drawing objects in the program and having access to the PoliNations Rhino files gave me the opportunity to see how and why it was being used for the project. I’m continuing to use and develop my skills on the software, which is already leading to other opportunities.

Above all, though, watching the public enjoy PoliNations and experiencing its positive impact has been the biggest motivation for me. I hope PoliNations will encourage more people to get involved with the arts in their area. I’m more motivated than ever to engage with communities on similar projects and encourage them into theatres and spaces they might not normally visit. When we achieve this, we can have more inspiring events for all, cultivating a happier society.

I don’t think I realised quite what I was signing up to when I applied for the role and I’m so glad I did. It’s taken me out of my comfort zone, given me new interests and skills and opened up new opportunities for me. I’ve continued to work with UNBOXED as an ambassador where I’m learning about the other commissions and the creatives who have worked on them. It’s an exciting place to be at the start of my career and shown me that you never know where an opportunity might lead. 

To learn more about all the work UNBOXED is doing in 2022, visit www.unboxed2022.uk.

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This article, sponsored and contributed by UNBOXED, is part of a series of articles to showcase the value of creativity and what creativity means.