The Glasshouse

Breaking into a new industry or moving from a sector you’ve worked in for a while can feel intimidating. You might worry about how well your skills or experience will translate. Will you feel like you’re always playing catch-up to colleagues who’ve spent years working in that sector?

From the outside, arts and culture might appear to be more different from other environments than is actually true. Every work environment benefits from people who can bring a fresh injection of ideas and a different perspective.

But let’s not downplay the challenges you could face if you’re just getting started in a cultural organisation.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music’s staff team has a strong mix of people with years of experience in the organisation, and others for whom working in the cultural sector represented a major transition.

Sarah moved to The Glasshouse from the Financial Services sector and Lois from the NHS. Ross had worked for non-profit organisations, but never in the arts. Lisa made a transition from the manufacturing and production industry.

What they all had in common was a sense that they had valuable expertise to share when they made the switch.

Recognise what’s relevant from where you worked before

Ross is The Glasshouse’s Head of Communications. When he saw his job advertised, he thought it was a long shot.

“Although I’ve had lots of experience in communications in different organisations, I felt like the arts and culture sector was a world of its own,” he says. “Previously, I’d been unsuccessful with a few applications to the higher education sector and was told it was because I lacked experience in the sector.”

However, when he was offered his job at The Glasshouse the interview panel explained he was successful in part because of the ideas he would bring from other environments.

“I was impressed at their willingness to take a chance on me, but now I’m here I see I’m working alongside people from so many different backgrounds,” Ross says.

Fundamentally, most businesses are similar in how they run.

“There is always a need for financial recording, allowing leadership teams to make decisions,” Sarah says. “The difference is the product you’re reporting on.”

Lois is enjoying applying skills she learned working in the National Health Service to a very different environment with its own set of challenges.

“Even though some things are new, I use core skills I developed at the NHS like communicating, and understanding employment law,” she says.

Build on a foundation of what you already know

The Glasshouse is an international music centre where people can enjoy performances from all kinds of artists or participate in the music education or artist development programmes. It’s also a major conference and events venue. The staff team includes members of Royal Northern Sinfonia, the orchestra of The Glasshouse.

When Lois started her role in the Human Resources team she had never worked with professional musicians before. She needed to study how members of the orchestra operated in order to do her job.

“I’ve learnt how their union works and about the different types of contracts they have,” she says.

Lisa is a Senior Accounts Assistant in the Finance team.  She was attracted to the role at The Glasshouse as she knew she had the right skills from her previous workplace. However, she had never worked in an industry based around public funding before, so she felt there was scope for her to develop.

“I adapted thanks to support from the people I work with, and the confidence I’ve developed in my career so far,” she says.

Know how to recognise the right organisation for you

If you’re moving to a new job in a different sector, it’s vital that you take time to think about what the ingredients of a good working environment are for you.

Ross joined the Communications team at The Glasshouse after two years of working from home. He was ready for a change.

“I took time to think about the different places I had worked, both large organisations and smaller agencies,” he says. “It was clear to me that I thrive in environments where I get to interact with lots of people on a day-to-day basis, and ideally not entirely on video calls.”

For many people working in arts and culture, the sense of a shared mission is important.

Sarah says, “The great thing about working here is I identify with its goals and can get behind what it does through music for the region.”

Choosing your ideal work environment is about more than just the kind of work you’ll be doing though. Working in the arts also offers opportunities to broaden your horizons.

“It’s made me try more new things. I’m very interested in what happens here,” says Sarah. “I’ve been to concerts I might not have usually.”

Understand your value to any organisation

When you’re applying for a job that feels like a step in a new direction, whether it’s a promotion or a move to a new sector, it’s common to think about what you don’t yet know or what you’ve yet to do in your career. While a good employer will notice any gaps on your CV, they should also be looking beyond that.

“When I applied for my job, it felt like it was at a more senior level than anything else on my CV,” Ross says. “But before the interview I decided I would focus specifically on things I had learned across multiple organisations such as how to lead different types of teams.”

“One of the things I have done here is support the implementation of new job descriptions,” Lois says. “My previous experience in other jobs with things like inclusivity has been valuable to my team.”

Sarah is clear about what was essential to her confidently entering the sector.

“You need the willingness to learn and be open to new experiences. You don’t have to know everything about an arts organisation; just bring your expertise.”