What made you choose the Master’s Degree in Arts and Culture Management in UIC Barcelona?
Honestly, I never thought that I would be studying my Master’s degree from Spain or anywhere in EU, what made me select UIC Barcelona was the uniqueness of the course which was being offered by UIC. I was particularly interested in studying Art Management and the curriculum which was offered by UIC attracted me the most out of all the other universities I compared it with. The master’s degree offered by UIC was unique to me, as it covered the aspect of the study I was looking forward to.
Have you lived before in Barcelona? Why did you choose this city to live and grow professionally and individually?
I always dreamed of visiting Barcelona for vacation’s but never lived there or though that I would be spending more than a year in Barcelona, what made me choose UIC was also influenced by Barcelona because of the cultural diversity and also the rich cultural history of great artists which motivated my decision at the first place. You meet people from all walks of life’s, cultures and background which also gives you a great opportunity to network professionally around the world.
What contents of the Master’s Degree in Cultural Management of the UIC do you think are useful for your professional performance?
The entire course content was amazing and useful in many ways and not just the courses but also the professors who were extremely helpful and great teachers, yet for me, the most important aspect of this course which would help me professionally was the financial aspect of cultural institutions (Tools for Managing Culture) and Cultural Institutions and Policies. In Culture and Art, we usually overlook the financial aspect which I believe is core for sustaining any cultural organization or an Arts institute, also knowing which institution to approach and which institute could help you advocate culture opens up multiple doors of opportunity as a professional which was covered in the course.
How was the process to obtain your internship?
I would be honest, at first, it seemed impossible as a non-Spanish speaker but UIC co-ordinators made it all easy. We had a one on one session with the co-ordinators of the course who help me figure out the best available opportunity not just in the city but also helped me highlight my skills and knowledge, and how I could benefit from it. UIC had a number of internship opportunities, but they also encouraged us to find the one that interests us the most. That is where I listed down a number of places I would love to see myself learning and exploring and the co-ordinators helped me to approach and communicate for the internship and I ended up working in one of my dream internship which was to work in an auction house, which eventually turned out to be a job for me.
What was your role in your internship and what were your daily tasks?
I was really lucky to find what I love doing and the experience, I had from my previous job which added on to my profile, as my internship was full of new tasks. Initially, my mentor at the internship would give me a list of task which I was supposed to work on, and eventually, my tasks were to figure out problems that were arising and to solve them, organise hammer auctions, understand the system of operation being used, re-structuring the gallery and the warehouse, improve the efficiency of the process, handle art, understand the process of the auction house.
What is that you liked the most about?
It is a difficult question as there was so much to like and I would not want to be bias, but what made a real impression was the choice of faculty UIC offered. All the professors were amazing in their own way and had different ways of teaching, but all had a different experience to share, different knowledge to pass on and they always guided us in the best possible way.
What is your actual occupation?
I was working for Balclis as process manager, I have recently moved to India and I am currently working with an Auction house here as International Contemporary Art Curator, another project I am working on is East-West collaboration for exhibiting Indian Modern and Master Artworks in EU along with UIC alumni Priyanka Ragji and a final project which includes virtual art exhibitions in India which is one of my own pipeline project which would be executed in the Fall of 2020. I moved back to India for improving the art scene in India which was one of my primary motive of pursuing master’s in culture and art management from UIC.
What would you say to future students interested in starting the Master’s Degree in Cultural Management of UIC Barcelona in the next academic year 2019-2020?
UIC would be one of the best places to learn, network and expand yourself in the field of Culture and Arts Management, and I would advise the future students to make the most of these opportunities. This course, UIC and Barcelona have a lot to offer and every day will bring you a new opportunity.
Are you still in contact with other alumni of UIC Barcelona?
Yes, in fact, we are co-ordinating and we are trying to work in culture and art industry together from different countries, by using each other’s expertise and network. As we all happen to be from different parts of the world which gives us opportunities to go beyond the boundaries.
Did you have a favourite teacher? If so, tell us why
This one is tricky cause they were all my great in their own may, but if I have to choose one it would be Msu Mohammed Hassan Elrazzaz. He had a very unique way of teaching which usually started with an interesting fun fact, lots of curiosity and intensity during all his class. To top it all he though financial aspects of culture which he made so much fun and easy to learn and also he was my thesis professor, he guided us throughout the project.
