Hello, my name’s Chloe, I’m a member of this year’s International Youth Arts Festival volunteer team. I’ll be managing this blog in the style of a collective, documenting the progression of the festival and giving previews of what to expect.
After hearing about the International Youth Arts Festival through Luke Cole, who volunteered last year, I decided that a volunteer position was something I would like to undertake, as many aspects appealed to me. The festival sounded like a positive experience for youth in terms of gaining experience, making friends and becoming more involved with Kingston as an area. As an A Level student studying English Literature, Drama and Film Studies the content of the festival ties into my studies and I expect the responsibility will equip me with new skills aswell as developing existing ones. The initial role I’ve been given is managing the blog and I’m a part of the marketing team sector; however I’ll be taking on a free-role, helping where I can. I’m interested and excited to see the broad spectrum of arts that the festival covers and to experience and interact with new acts and talent. I’m enjoying integrating into the hectic environment and becoming part of the process leading up to the festival. I hope to be a valuable member of the team.
Here’s an interview between myself and 2014 & 2015 IYAF volunteer Luke Cole:
How did you initially hear about IYAF? ‘I heard about IYAF through a teacher of mine back in Greenshaw’
What interested you about the concept of volunteering for IYAF? ‘I was interested in what skills I could pick up from event management, so getting in touch was an ideal option to find out more information’
What have been your favourite memories during your time with IYAF? ‘Definitely with the press team, working alongside foreign exchange students and getting to know their backgrounds, alongside their lifestyles from their home countries was great fun.’
What was it about your last experience with IYAF that made you want to return? ‘Being able to handle more responsibility to ensure this festival better improves than the previous.’
Do you have an arts background in terms of education or an extra-curricular interest? ‘I have a graphic design artistic background, alongside game design interests which is a great level of digital art.’
What’s the main role you’ll be taking on throughout the build up to the festival? ‘Free-role, I hope to take part in all various parts of the festival again. If I needed to summarise my main roles, it would definitely be event management as well as working in the press team as the web designer.’
What do you hope to gain from the experience overall? ‘A great level of development of both my personal and interpersonal skills.’
-The festival will be taking place around Kingston from the 3rd-19th July 2015, Chloe Leatt.
