Volunteer Spotlight: Francesca Boulad
Posted on 17 June 2025
This month, in a slight change to our regular Volunteer Spotlight series, we have asked Francesca Boulad, who undertook a placement at Castlefield Gallery, to share her experience with us.
Hi Fran! Tell us a little about yourself. When did you start your placement with Castlefield Gallery?
I’m Fran, I’m a third year Art History and English student at the University of Manchester, and I’m currently doing the Curatorial Placement at Castlefield Gallery, which I started in February.
What made you want to do a placement here?
What drew me to Castlefield Gallery was the fact that it’s a contemporary/modern gallery, which is the periods I’m most interested in, so to be able to actively work with these works was brilliant. Another thing that drew me to the gallery was how involved the gallery is with local working artists, both starting out and further progressed in their careers.
What’s your favourite thing about working with Castlefield Gallery?
How hands on I get to be, I’ve learnt so much about the artists working with the gallery, how the gallery plans ahead, along with even getting involved with changeovers.
What would you say to the students who will do a placement with Castlefield Gallery in the future?
I think the best part of the gallery is how involved you can be, which I’ve heard isn’t as possible at other galleries offering placements, the community surrounding the gallery is also just wonderful, everyone I’ve spoken to is absolutely lovely. From the artists, to the team behind the gallery to the volunteers too!
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