Year 9 Students Explore Art and Heritage Careers at the Stradling Collection

A group of Year 9 students from Ashton Park school recently visited The Stradling Collection for an inspiring day of creative exploration and career discovery. The visit was designed to introduce students to the wide range of opportunities available in the art and heritage sectors, and to show how their creative skills could be valuable in a range of future careers.

 To kick start the day and get the students confident with the space, the students embarked on a lively scavenger hunt through the collection, taking on the role of the curator looking for objects matching the theme of ‘animals’. This interactive activity encouraged the students to engage with the exhibits more closely and discover the wide range of fascinating items in the collection.

The group were then split into three groups. The first group took part in a marketing and merchandise design project, where they were challenged to develop creative ideas inspired by the collection that would help attract teenagers. They used pictures and sketches they’d been asked to gather during their time exploring the collection as inspiration for their ideas. From badges and tote bags to candles and phone cases, the students used their imagination and design skills to produce eye-catching products that reflected the spirit of the Stradling Collection. 

The second group took part in discussions about the types of jobs available in museums, galleries, and heritage organisations – as well as how creative thinking and skills are an asset in almost any profession or sector. The final group explored the wide range of skills they had already via a visual sunflower seed metaphor and discussed the skills needed in the sector, including communication, teamwork, research, and problem solving.  

The visit not only offered a valuable glimpse into the working world of arts and heritage but also helped students see how their creativity and curiosity could shape their future.  

A big thank you to The Stradling Collection team for hosting such a fun and inspiring day and to the staff and students from Ashton Park for all their fantastic ideas. Keep an eye out if any of your ideas make it onto their future merchandise!