Naomi Johnson

“Working as an intern and fundraising volunteer at Ahh... has given me a unique and exciting view into the UK arts sector. Recently graduating from a Master of Music (Performance), I am keen to gain practical arts-related skills and experiences that will help me develop my own projects and performances in the future. Ahh... and the Garden of Ideas project has given me just that - the chance to see what is really needed to get ambitious projects off the ground. 

Day-to-day work at Ahh... is a veritable rollercoaster of activity, with much more breadth and depth than the job I thought I applied for! This is incredibly stimulating, and the ability to write everything from funding applications to media releases will set me in good stead for the future. Along with these challenges comes a great sense of team spirit, and the privilege of working with some truly excellent mentors. 

To top it off, I really believe in Garden of Ideas and its potential to make a difference in creative and performing arts. I hope that my contribution can help it succeed!”  

Miriam Kratzer

“Working for Simon’s charity challenged me in every possible way, every day:

From managing the investor pack, to raising funds for the project, to using photoshop to transform a vision of the project into a compelling visual for the Garden of Ideas…This is the most extraordinary and most challenging project I have ever been working for.

As a graduate in International Cultural and Business Studies, this internship gave me both, fundamental knowledge about the arts and cultural sector in the UK, as well as practical experience in project management and fundraising. I had the chance to work together with major senior consultants, who challenged me every day. With Simon’s professional network, you can get the chance to look behind the scenes of world-class arts organisations such as the Shakespeare’s Globe Company, Royal College of Music or The Eden Project.

In the fast-paced working environment at Ahh… Arts Igniting Minds, teamwork and high flexibility is essential, and it requires using creativity, lots of courage, ambition and a constant “can-do-attitude”.If you don’t want to be micro-managed and can solve problems by yourself and want to achieve certain goals autonomously? Then you are right for Ahh.” 

Amelie Snyers

“During my internship at Ahh…Arts Igniting Minds, I had to carry out a very wide range of tasks. Assisting with the general administration and the communication of the company, I have also been in charge of the creation of flyers for Future Menagerie at the Future Gallery and an assistant stage manager for Carlos Acosta Premieres at the London Coliseum.

”This internship was a fantastic experience, which enabled me to gain experience and knowledge in office administration, press relations, production and stage management. It also helped me find a job very quickly, I am now working as an administrative and communications assistant at Village Underground in Shoreditch.”