Creative Career Talk with Fiona Dinsdale

Fiona discussed her educational and work background with SCCI students, giving them valuable insight into how to break into arts marketing roles. She studied Music at Royal Holloway University of London. While at University, she completed an internship in Marketing at Southbank Centre and shortly after got her first role in the industry as an Editorial Assistant at White Label Productions where she worked on promotional materials for a range of classical record labels.

She then moved to the London Symphony Orchestra in 2012, starting as Marketing Co-ordinator, before progressing to other roles and becoming Head of Marketing in 2019, She now leads on the organisation’s marketing and digital communication strategies, leading a team of eight people who work on work on digital, branding, campaigns, audience development, and audience insight.

Some of Fiona’s top tips for developing a career in arts administration were:

• Do your research – find out about the different roles that are available, use LinkedIn, reach out to people in the industry.
• Find voluntary opportunities and build up your office experience.
• Keep applications focused and use the job specification.
• Get interview experience and come prepared with examples.
• Join YPIA (Young People in the Arts) and other industry networks.

Fiona concluded her presentation by showcasing the range of schemes and events available for young people to experience the LSO, including Student Pulse London, Young Barbican, and LSO Discovery Free Friday Lunchtime Concerts.

The online talk is part of our Creative Careers series, which aims to highlight different career pathways and employment options by interviewing inspiring speakers who work in the creative and cultural industries.