Name
Vanessa Meade

Job title
Touring Exhibitions Assistant

Describe a typical working day at Epping Forest District and Lowewood Museums
My day really depends on what stage an exhibition is at. The further along we are into the exhibition process, the more manic it is! At the start, I will spend my days mainly researching, visiting other museums and displays for inspiration, writing text and getting a feel for the general concept. For the exhibitions which are produced with the Young Curators, I will also be giving or overseeing workshops once a week. Towards the end it is all systems go and you can usually find me packing up my car with something or other for the display, completing design work for the panels and marketing and trying to organise the private view event.

What is your favourite thing about working at the Museum?
I love the fantastic amount of staff expertise at the museum, if you are ever struggling with something, you can always find someone who has an idea or is willing to help you out.

Share one piece of advice for those interested in working in the Museum field.
Be flexible and learn to multitask. Although your job may be specialised in collections, educations or exhibitions, there is always going to be a time when you are going to have to deliver a project that incorporates all three.

Which historical figure would you like to meet and why. What would you ask them?
After specialising in Russian History, I have always been fascinated with meeting Alexander Kerensky. I have no idea what I would ask him though, probably where did it all go wrong.

Where would you choose to go/visit if you could go anywhere in the world for a day?
I would probably visit my family’s farm in America to drop in and say hi.

What was the first music track or album you bought?
Embarrassingly, I think it was A1’s first album.