ITP Team News: Welcome to our new ITP Assistant

Jessica Juckes, International Training Programme Assistant

Hello ITPers worldwide!

I am Jessica, and I’m very happy to be introducing myself to you as the new ITP Assistant.

It has always been my dream to work in museums, in a position promoting learning and collaboration across regions and cultures, and I have finally reached my goal, albeit with a few interesting detours along the way!

After finishing my BA in French and Film Studies, I worked as a short-term Project Assistant at the National Trust property 575 Wandsworth Road. This cemented an interest in colonial and post-colonial history, as I was immersed in the collection and story of the house owner’s particular experience of diasporic identity. Sent off to research at SOAS by the property team, I fell in love with the university’s library and decided to do a Masters there.

In 2011, I completed my Masters in History of Art and Architecture at SOAS, focusing on visual and material culture in Africa, and writing my dissertation on intersections between photography and the construction of space, looking at Dakar, Senegal. Alongside these experiences, I also variously interned, worked and volunteered with the Barbican Centre, October Gallery, Tate and others.

As a parallel career throughout this time, I was also working as a languages teacher: I am a qualified teacher of French and EAL (English as an Additional Language) and have taught in Senegal, South Korea, Spain, France and the UK, with adults and young people.

Finally, in 2014, I began working at Tiwani Contemporary, a contemporary gallery in London working with artists from Africa and its diaspora. As the Gallery Manager, I handled exhibition and art fair logistics, administration, volunteer management and the non-profit public programme of talks and publications.

Outside of work, I love to travel, learn new languages, visit museums and play the piano. I’ve actually just got back from an amazing trip to Tanzania, refreshed and ready to dive right into my new role with the ITP.

I cannot wait to get to know you all and help to support this fantastic programme over the coming year.