Internships.
I have just been reading Andrew Bryant's report about working with Tate media for three months. It sounds like great experience, and not something that could be replicated elsewehere.
I suppose this made me think that a good, or great, internship can offer something really valuable and when used wisely can provide great contacts and experience. Perhaps I should view it more like the decision to study; Andrew decided to take time off work to do this and had obviously given it a lot of thought beforehand.
The fact still remains though that many people could not afford to do this, particularly full time internships. Then again, how many artists make a living out of their work? Or any money at all infact. Perhaps an internship is a better investment for self-sufficiency in the long term! It seems to me that you should look for someone who pays some expenses, and advertises training opportunities. Do your research and choose carefully or you might end up never getting any training, making tea, and generally not getting much back for your time.
Back to that Arts Jobs email then…