Tejaswi M.

Audience and Outreach Manager
Happy to mentor
Happy to be contacted

About me

Tejaswi M.
Conservation Studies
Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings)
Taught Postgraduate
Wentworth
2016
India

My employment

Audience and Outreach Manager
Piramal Museum of Art
India
Library, museum and information services
Small business (0-49 employees)
2017

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A day in the life of a Audience and Outreach Manager in India

We work for the arts and our vision to change the way arts is seen, heard and perceived in the country and hence all the work that happens is done with conviction, grit and honesty.

Briefly describe the organisation you work for

I work with a private museum, Piramal Museum of Art as their Education and Outreach Coordinator. The Piramal Museum of Art is a state-of-the-art museum situated at three locations in Mumbai. Established in November 2015 and headquartered at Peninsula Corporate Park, Lower Parel, the Museum has presented curated exhibitions featuring the artworks of masters such as Abanindranath Tagore, S.H Raza, K.Ramanujam, K.G. Subramanyan and Raja Ravi Varma, amongst others. These exhibitions have been critically acclaimed for their research-intensive yet lucid approach and unique exhibition design.

What do you do?

My role involves strategic planning and implementation of curriculums to integrate arts and cultural heritage in their daily education. I also develop and programme events and seminars for the Museum with a vision to change the way arts are seen, perceived and implemented. Alongside this, I am also leading the digital outreach for the museum.

Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?

Right after graduating from York, I worked with a contemporary art gallery in Mumbai, India. I was the Asst. Gallery Manager and was tasked with archiving and managing the collection of the gallery. I worked here to secure for myself a position in the art industry in Mumbai. Whilst working with the gallery, I was offered a job with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. My work here was to programme and execute heritage management training workshops for students, professionals and educators. It was my work here, along with my experience at York that helped me realise that I wanted to devote my career to educating the masses on the benefits of arts education and hence I accepted my current role with Piramal.

Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?

Oh, definitely. I had imagined myself working with a team of conservators and changing the face of conservation in India. Don't get me wrong, I still believe I can do that, but now I have a plan and that to impact the mind of the young and the future will take care of itself.

Describe your most memorable day at work

My most memorable day at the museum is when I am giving a tour of the exhibition to young audiences. The raw emotions that they feel when they look at art and knowing that you are here for them and that they are learning because of you is all the encouragement that I need.

Are there any challenges associated with your job?

All job roles come with their inherent challenges. The job is not as much challenging as the environment that you work in. The biggest challenge of my environment is the attitude towards the arts. Elsewhere, art is an important part of a child's upbringing, but in India, it is categorised as a 'hobby'. Every day, my work helps me fight this belief. Over the last two years, I can proudly say that out of 5000 children who I have interacted with, I have changed at least 40% of their minds on the relevance of arts.

What’s your work environment and culture like?

We are an easy-going bunch of art enthusiasts who love our work. We work for the arts and our vision to change the way arts is seen, heard and perceived in the country and hence all the work that happens is done with conviction, grit and honesty.

What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?

I took up a bunch of activities, from debate club to potholing. But, I did these for recreational purposes and haven't had a chance to use these skills outside of college.

What would you like to do next with your career?

I would like to pursue my doctoral research.

What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?

Start researching early. Don't ever assume that you have time, because time is a myth when it comes to searching for a job. There is a dream job for everyone and if you are persistent, you will secure it. It may take some years, but do not give up.

What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?

Types of work opportunities in the country; requirements for different roles, formatting CVs, and anything that I can be of help with

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

If I could relive my life in York, I would. So just remember to take breaks and enjoy the enchanting city that is York!

Next steps...

If you like the look of Tejaswi’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Tejaswi a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Tejaswi to be your mentor.

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