Meet our team: Sophie Baker, Business Admin Apprentice

What does your role involve?

My role as a Business Administration Apprentice in our Investment team covers a lot more than I expected it would, no two days are the same. I get to do different tasks, from collating data to messaging and answering queries from organisations and colleagues.

Since I started, my role has evolved, and I’m currently assisting the Culture Recovery Fund team with delivering the fund on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). I’m providing assistance to the team who design and manage the process, supporting colleagues and applicants along the way.

I work with a variety of teams such as Data and Reporting, Funded Organisations and Project Funding – plus I’ve also had the opportunity to branch out and find out more about the Arts Council’s other funding programmes, such as Music Education Hubs.

What made you apply for an apprenticeship?

I had completed my studies and was wondering what to do next… whether to continue my education in some form or begin applying to work within the arts and culture sector. When I saw the apprenticeship opportunity, it seemed like a great chance to learn new skills in an area that would help strengthen my interest in arts management.

And how are you finding the apprenticeship so far?

I am really enjoying being able to work towards a qualification while learning through my day to day work. I’ve had opportunities to attend training courses both with my college and at the Arts Council – it’s offered such a wide range of new skills and opened me up to new areas of interest. 

How did you find joining the organisation in lockdown?

Joining remotely was a rather daunting experience initially, but that feeling quickly faded. Everyone was so welcoming and has adapted so quickly – it’s made learning new skills and meeting colleagues still enjoyable and accessible.

I think that, while lockdown has been a difficult time for us all in so many ways, it has highlighted how reactive and adaptive we can be as individuals and an organisation. Colleagues went out of their way to involve me in anything and everything that may be of interest; from catch-up calls with different people to observing different meetings to learn more about the wider organisation.

What’s the best thing about working at Arts Council?

For me, it’s the chance to play a collaborative part within a team of people who all have the shared goal of helping and shaping the creative and cultural sector. It’s also one of the friendliest environments that I have worked in, and it’s been a pleasure to get to know as many colleagues as I have done so far. I have learned a lot through their experiences, as well as discovering loads of amazing things colleagues are involved in outside of work.

Thanks Sophie! And finally, what’s your favourite creative or cultural memory?

It has got to be attending and being part of the Lincoln Company at Edinburgh Fringe in 2019. Performing with talented people and being able to step out the door to go and see as many shows, exhibitions, and performances that you could squeeze in 24 hours was brilliant.  

While that now feels like a bit of a distant memory, it’s certainly something that I look forward to slowly helping support again in the future. This last year and the experiences I had at places such as the Fringe have truly taught me the value of creativity and culture on a personal and an international level.