Who Did You Meet at the Venice Biennale? Education-to-Work Transition Enhancers for Aspiring Arts Professionals in Australia

Caitlin Vincent, Hilary Glow, Katya Johanson and Bronwyn Coate
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Caitlin Vincent: The University of Melbourne, Australia
Hilary Glow: Deakin University, Australia
Katya Johanson: Deakin University, Australia
Bronwyn Coate: RMIT University, Australia

Work, Employment & Society, 2023, vol. 37, issue 2, 315-332

Abstract: Precarious employment and unpaid labour are common features of the cultural and creative industries. While existing literature highlights the benefit of professional development in building careers, it focuses on self-driven rather than formalised activities. Social capital and social disadvantage are recognised as major factors limiting career success. Yet, it is unclear whether formalised professional development programs offer advantages to overcoming such barriers. This article examines a professional development scheme led by a government-funded cultural agency that provides cultural workers with opportunities to develop education-to-work ‘transition enhancers’. Using data from 45 participants in the Australia Council for the Arts’ Venice Biennale Professional Development Program, we find that the program enables access to three transition enhancers (professional experience, social connections and international experience). However, the program’s lack of structure ensures the benefits of participation are most effective for those who bring a proactive approach to engaging in events and building social relations.

Keywords: communities of practice; cultural and creative industries; education-to-work transition; networking; professional development; transition enhancers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:woemps:v:37:y:2023:i:2:p:315-332

DOI: 10.1177/09500170211004239

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