Honiton arts centre scoops award for excellence in gallery education

Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) has announced that Anna Aroussi, their Gallery Engagement Officer, has been awarded the prestigious Marsh Award for dedication and excellence in Gallery Education.

The tenth annual Marsh Awards for Excellence in Gallery Education celebrated the hard work and dedication of colleagues working within the sector of gallery, museum, and visual arts education.

The Awards are funded by the Marsh Christian Trust and run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, whose mission is to give everyone the opportunity to learn and benefit from the arts.

This year's awards were special as Engage acknowledged that 2020 has been a difficult year for those working in the arts.

Nominations were welcomed from colleagues for their co-workers in galleries and visual arts organisations, including those who were furloughed or had stopped working during the coronavirus pandemic.

The winners were celebrated at an online ceremony on Thursday 28 January 2021.

This year nine individuals received awards. The awards were presented online by Professor Rod Bugg, Ambassador for the Marsh Christian Trust, at a virtual ceremony for the first time ever.

Winners were invited to produce a video to advertise their success in winning the award, but also to give as much coverage as possible to the work that they have been doing.

The winners received £500 to spend on their professional development.

Director of Engage, Jane Sillis said: "This round of the Marsh Awards for Excellence in Gallery Education celebrates colleagues who have delivered exceptional gallery and visual arts education practice in the UK and beyond.

"Many of the winners have responded to the extraordinary challenges presented by the pandemic in the most creative ways.

"Engage is very grateful for the support of the Marsh Christian Trust for these important awards."

Anna is an artist and started her career at King Rollo Films where she worked for 10 years as a tracer, animator, and graphic designer.

Anna's work in gallery education began when she became involved with the education programme at Spacex Gallery delivering animation workshops before gaining a role as Visual Arts and Digital Media learning manager at Exeter Phoenix (EP).

Anna now works as the Engagement Officer at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton.

Through her work, she has established herself in the gallery education sector, developing strong partnerships with TATE, local AONB's, Devon Recovery Learning Community and East Devon District Council frontline service team, to design activities to reach groups most in need.

Anna has shown dedication, tenacity, empathy, and commitment during the outbreak of Covid-19.

Amongst other activities, she has played an invaluable role in developing and delivering the 'Creative Cabin' – a Covid-19 recovery project.

This mobile creative space took nature and culture on tour in a 'Recovery Roadshow'. Her aim was to share cultural activities with communities most in need in their own neighbourhoods.

Curator and Manager at Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Ruth Gooding said: "It is Anna's adaptability, positivity and drive to support communities in need to help them enjoy the benefits of art and culture that has made this project possible."

Anna intends to use the prize money for training opportunities such as the Extend Leadership Programme with Engage, a digital skills course and/or diversity and inclusivity training for galleries and outdoor space.