Claire Jones
Services and Events Manager, Victoria Gallery and Museum, University of Liverpool
Job Overview
I started at the VGM last August, shortly after it opened its doors to the public for the first time. It's a magnificent neo gothic Waterhouse building that was the original red brick university. My job entails running the front-of-house and commercial sides of the Gallery/Museum's operation, hiring out the spaces to customers from within the Uni., and external hirers, many receptions, dinners and conferences, one day it's Infectious Diseases, the next it's the Hittites.
Biography
I was born in South Wales then came to Liverpool University and never went home! Since then I have set up and edited a listings magazine, been a club promoter, been involved in the opening of Sefton Park Palm House as Events Co-ordinator, and the Brindley Arts Centre, Runcorn, as Venue Manager. I'm married to Sam (formerly my fellow club promoter) and have a nine year-old teenage daughter and 2 year old hurricane of a son. I love to read (Anne Enright at present) and harbour the urge to write myself when I get a moment.
Motivation and Aims for undertaking the PDP
I'm hoping the PDP will give me the opportunity to step outside the daily grind and look at the bigger picture in terms of my own workplace and museums and galleries in general. I'm hoping to build bridges and create a better team dynamic between all the staff from different university departments who work in my building. I'm looking forward to being able to read around my subject and have time and space to think. It'll be nice to get out into the outside world and see what's going on!
Contact:
c.jones5@liv.ac.uk, 0151 7946831