For myself (like most people) 2020 has been a difficult year. Museums and galleries (like many other industries) have been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdowns with venues closing, opening, and closing again a number of times. As a freelancer I am not attached to one organisation so have not been involved in the difficult planning for safe visiting of audiences inside buildings. However, I have needed to adapt with clients disappearing, work being postponed and engagement work moving online. I am proud that I have been able to continue working from home alongside home schooling and other family difficulties. I completed the research for Tate’s Routes in Programme, mentored a young person remotely, evaluated a number of online programmes and also ran online training for a few new clients.

Moving into 2021 being in tier 4 will be difficult and with COVID-19 numbers rising. However with vaccines beginning to be rolled out I am hopeful for myself and the sector moving forward, providing there is government support. I will be continuing to work with Freelands Foundation, The Photographers’ Gallery, Whitechapel Gallery and Art on the Underground, as well as mentoring again with UAL and for the first time Arts Emergency. In addition I’ve been approached to run a training session on young people’s career opportunities and progression routes into the sector for the Group for Education in Museums (GEM). This is the area of work I am particularly passionate about and follows on from my research for Tate.

After the unpredictability of last year who knows what will happen in 2021 but I do hope that everyone in our sector can take the opportunity to look after themselves because well-being, as well as funding, will be key for our resilience moving forward.