Meet the People we Work With: Lucie Bellingham

Meet the People We Work With is a series of short conversations with the artists, volunteers, collaborators and supporters who shape Castlefield Gallery. It offers a way to get to know the people behind the work, their interests, and how working together helps make space for artists and new ideas to develop. This month, we caught up with Lucie Bellingham, who has just completed a 10-week Artist Development placement with us via the University of Manchester.

Hi Lucie! Please introduce yourself, tell us about what you do and your role with Castlefield Gallery? 

Hi! I have just completed the Artist Development Placement at Castlefield Gallery. In this role, I work with the team to support and develop programmes that benefit the artists and patrons we work with. No two days are the same, which is something I really enjoy. My work can involve arts administration, such as creating opportunity lists for artists on the Associates Programme, preparing for exhibition openings, or supporting the delivery of events. I also help with artist liaison, assisting in communication and coordination with artists we’re working with. At times, I get involved in the more hands-on side too, helping with gallery installs and contributing to projects connected to our artist development programmes. Alongside this, I’m in my final year studying Art History and English Literature at the University of Manchester, and I’ve been on placement with Castlefield Gallery since late January.

What made you want to do a placement with Castlefield Gallery?

I was drawn to working with Castlefield Gallery for lots of reasons. Firstly, I am interested in contemporary and experimental art, and Castlefield is at the forefront of exhibiting contemporary art in Manchester. I find that really exciting – even when I don’t immediately connect with something visually (a feeling I think is shared by many when it comes to contemporary art) it pushes me to think differently and stay curious. I’m also really interested in working in a space where new ideas are constantly being developed, and where collaboration and conversation are central. While the work itself might be individual, the process behind it rarely is, and there is something very special about being able to work so closely with a team and the artists. Alongside this, Castlefield Gallery’s strong commitment to supporting artists in Manchester and the wider North West was a substantial pull. While accessibility in galleries is becoming more widely discussed, I feel Castlefield has long been ahead of the curve in creating opportunities and support structures for artists.