ICP student placement with Creative 91直播: Jinghan Tong
Student Jinghan Tong spent 20 weeks with Creative 91直播 as part of her MA work placement. In this blog she writes about her experience.
Hi, my name is Jinghan Tong, and I am currently a student at The University of Manchester, majoring in Creative and Cultural Studies. I am passionate about the intersection of creativity and social impact, which drives my dedication to exploring and contributing to the cultural and creative industries. Through my recent internship at , I gained hands-on experience in event planning, audience development, and communication strategy.
This role allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing my skills and preparing me for a dynamic career in the arts and cultural sector. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my experience and skills to foster innovation and inclusivity in the creative field.
The primary project I worked on was the , an event funded by Arts Council England (ACE) celebrating 91直播's rich literary heritage and extensive local library network. My responsibilities included event planning and coordination, audience development, and communication strategy, and I participated in Zoom meetings with key stakeholders to finalize event details.
Implementing audience development strategies was crucial, involving tailored communication plans and outreach efforts to engage specific demographics. Crafting engaging news stories and social media posts using platforms like Hootsuite and Canva was also a key part of my role, ensuring content resonated with the target audience.
As part of the event, I helped to establish detailed communication planning and implementing audience growth strategies for four key seminars in the Festival of Libraries schedule. Each session was carefully crafted to appeal to a wide variety of age groups and interests, providing participants with a rich and immersive experience suited to their preferences and expectations. I hoped that by implementing these ideas, we would not only broaden the festival's reach, but also deepen engagement and foster long-term relationships with our audience.
To illustrate, take the "Tasting Children鈥檚 Literature 鈥� An Edible Readathon" workshop, for instance, which was designed to captivate young children up to the age of 8, along with their parents, caregivers, and educators. Employing audience development strategies, we orchestrated targeted social media plans and community outreach endeavors to ensure broad participation and robust engagement.
This is also one of the highlights of my placement. This event was a resounding success and a truly delightful experience. The workshop's innovative approach combined the joys of reading with sensory play, allowing children to explore literature through interactive and edible elements.
Promotional materials emphasized the educational benefits and fun nature of the event, which helped in drawing a significant number of participants. The event featured a variety of activities where children could taste food items inspired by their favourite storybooks, making the experience both memorable and educational.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement and laughter as children immersed themselves in the stories, transforming the act of reading into a multi-sensory adventure.
The success of the "Tasting Children鈥檚 Literature 鈥� An Edible Readathon" workshop not only demonstrated the power of creative engagement in fostering a love for reading among children but also highlighted the importance of community involvement in cultural events. It was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our efforts on the participants, reinforcing the value of inclusive and accessible cultural programming.