Students Gain Unique Arts Work Experience Through Towner Partnership

Foundation Art students from East Sussex College, Eastbourne, have spent a week at Towner Art Gallery as part of the College’s Manifesto Kite project “Raise your Voice.” This special partnership has focused on trialling new ways of offering meaningful work experience and employer engagement within the arts, giving students the chance to collaborate with professionals in a live gallery setting.

The project began by inviting students across all Art & Design courses to create a personal creative manifesto, choosing a statement that captured their unique ‘voice’ and vision for their artistic journey. These ideas were then transformed into kites – a symbolic way of sending their voices into the world.

Building on this, Foundation students have worked closely with the Towner team to bring the project together, gaining hands-on experience in curating, installing, and invigilating within a professional arts venue.

The week concluded with a student-led exhibition in Studio 1, which not only showcased the diverse creativity of the cohort but also acted as the culmination of their collaborative work experience.

Matt Kemp, Head of Curriculum for Creative & Digital Studies at ESC Eastbourne, said:
“The Manifesto Kite project has been an amazing opportunity for students to express themselves creatively while working together on a shared vision. Showcasing the work at Towner gives them real-world experience of curating and presenting to the public, which is an invaluable part of their development.”

Liz Corkhill, Skills and Opportunities Producer at Towner, said: “We’ve been delighted to work in partnership with the tutors and students from ESCG Eastbourne Art Foundation course, as they worked alongside Towner team to curate, install and invigilate an exhibition at Towner. We’re excited to continue this partnership as we explore more ways of offering meaningful work experience within the arts to students.”

This developing collaboration between ESC and Towner highlights the importance of creating opportunities that go beyond the classroom, preparing students for future careers in the arts while strengthening links between education and the creative industries.

If you’re interested in studying Art & Design at East Sussex College, please click here for more information.