Our incredible Visitor Experience Assistants and Operations team members here at Warwick Arts Centre work across our entire building and cover every event type from cinema showings, to events in our studios and theatres, to the Mead Gallery’s exhibitions, to workshops.
Twice a year, Warwick Arts Centre hosts the University of Warwick’s graduations, and our staff play a vital role in creating a celebration to remember. For many visitors, this will be their first visit to our campus, and for others their first visit to Warwick Arts Centre.
Our staff prepare the building and its spaces, organise all the practicalities, and provide everything needed for an exceptional visitor experience. Meet two of our amazing past and present staff members…
Meet James and Annaliesa
James is 29, born in Yorkshire but settled in Coventry after moving here 11 years ago for university. He studied at the University of Warwick for his undergraduate degree in French Studies, then a PGCE in Languages, and an MA in Education. He works at the Arts Centre in both a contracted and casual basis alongside his main job working in payroll and administration for a commercial company.
Annaliesa is 28 and works as the Head of Drama and Head of House at a school in Warwick. She studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Warwick for her undergraduate degree, followed by a PGCE, followed by a part-time Masters in Professional Education while teaching full-time. She worked at Warwick Arts Centre throughout her studies.
How did these two fit it all in?!
What are James and Annaliesa’s first memories of Warwick Arts Centre?
In 2011, James visited the Arts Centre for the first time for an Open Day. Then, as a student, he visited a lot for the cinema. He “always enjoyed the eclectic mix of films being programmed.” Annaliesa’s first visit was also for an Open Day. She remembers “feeling blown away by the vastness of it all and feeling hugely excited about all of the events taking place.”
Annaliesa began working as a Steward (now Visitor Experience Assistant) at Warwick Arts Centre during her first year of university. She became a Head Steward in her second year, and Assistant Duty Manager in her third year. “I was even persuaded to train as an Operations Assistant – although to this day I still shudder at the thought of how many keys I had to carry around!”
And James’ role at Warwick Arts Centre? “What isn’t my role!” he said. In September 2016, James became a volunteer Performance Steward, then in 2017, became an Event Steward (now titled Visitor Experience Assistant).
In 2018, he joined the Head Stewards team and Operations Team before going on to Casual Duty Management. His day-to-day role changes “depending on which of my many hats I wear!” but you might find him greeting visitors, helping staff and customers have the best experience at the Arts Centre, or carrying out tasks to keep the building running smoothly and safely.
“I initially joined because I was going into the final year of my undergraduate degree and wanted something that would let me relax but also earn some money (i.e. not retail!). I stuck around because I really enjoyed the role and the team.”
James and Annaliesa loved getting involved in Graduation ceremonies
Warwick Arts Centre hosts every graduation ceremony for our students, seeing thousands of students cross our Butterworth Hall stage to collect their degrees.
Annaliesa said: “I worked all of the Graduation ceremonies during my time at Warwick, which we used to refer to as ‘Steward Summer Camp’ and was such good fun.” She has amazing memories from that time: “I was working one of the Graduation Ceremonies and I realised that someone had snuck a small dog into the Gallery (where the professional photos were being taken). Without thinking I used the radio to announce to the Duty Manager that there was ‘an illegal poodle in the Gallery’, which of course the rest of the team heard and found hilarious.”
The picture above shows Annaliesa’s graduation, which also saw several Arts Centre staff graduate and many others working the ceremony.
How has the Arts Centre changed in the 13 years since James’ first visit?
“There is the obvious answer of the renovations that have taken place.” Warwick Arts Centre completed a four-year redevelopment in 2021. “We’ve also had a lot of faces come and go. I think I’ve seen upward of 200 stewards or volunteers graduate at this point and I’ve worked well over 100 ceremonies.
“The core element though has stayed the same: the team spirit and the welcoming community, inviting everyone in with the aim of enjoying a shared experience, whether that be a comedy show, dance performance, student theatre, or something entirely novel! That’s the main reason why I’ve stayed as long as I have – I genuinely love the job and the team I work with.”
How has the Arts Centre impacted James?
“I’ve found a love for the arts that I didn’t know I had. I was always more interested in comedy, films and the like, but I’ve seen things during my time here I would have never seen otherwise and have really enjoyed them! I’ve also made friends for life. It’s really a global community.”
Like many staff at Warwick Arts Centre, James’ journey started as a Warwick student. He remembers writing his MA thesis in the old Arts Centre café, now the new PandaMami restaurant opening Autumn 2024.
