Pooja Sitpura
Head of Inclusive Talent Engagement
What I do at Somerset House Trust
Somerset House’s Inclusive Talent Engagement activity exists to remove barriers and increase representation in the arts and creative sector, within our workforce and audiences.
My role is to strategically oversee the programme design and delivery, ensuring the initiatives harness the creative community at Somerset House as a resource to develop skills, engagement and entertainment for young people aged 16-30.
Our priority is to open up opportunities for under-represented* intergenerational audiences, while also focusing on giving emerging talent aged 18-30 access to skills, experiences and progression routes to pursue careers in the creative sector.
Our priority is to open up opportunities for under-represented* intergenerational audiences, while also focusing on giving emerging talent aged 18-30 access to skills, experiences and progression routes to pursue careers in the creative sector.
We do this by:
- Offering a programme of creative careers initiatives that develops the next generation of talent.
- Creating high quality projects and events onsite and online, that are initiated and created with and by participants, reflecting their perspectives and experiences and characterised by evidence-based approaches.
- Developing partnerships and relationships with the sector and communities to widen our participants and audiences so that they better represent our society.
Who am I?
With over 10 years of experience in the creative sector, Pooja holds a Master's degree in Applied Theatre: Drama in an Educational, Community and Social Context from Goldsmiths, University of London.
My core competencies are creative learning and equity, which I have applied in various contexts, such as D/deaf and disabled, young people's, and intergenerational projects. I have collaborated with organisations, such as Magic Me, Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Yard Theatre, and Croydon Music and Arts, to develop and deliver engaging and impactful programmes that promote participation and diversity. I consult and educate other organisations on how to address systemic exclusion and foster organisational change through the ethics and tools of creative learning.
My mission is to use my skills and expertise to nurture conversations, share knowledge, and develop strategies for equity and justice in the creative sector and beyond.
My core competencies are creative learning and equity, which I have applied in various contexts, such as D/deaf and disabled, young people's, and intergenerational projects. I have collaborated with organisations, such as Magic Me, Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Yard Theatre, and Croydon Music and Arts, to develop and deliver engaging and impactful programmes that promote participation and diversity. I consult and educate other organisations on how to address systemic exclusion and foster organisational change through the ethics and tools of creative learning.
My mission is to use my skills and expertise to nurture conversations, share knowledge, and develop strategies for equity and justice in the creative sector and beyond.
Advice for prospective candidates
Please read the full JD and in your personal statement, please highlight which experiences match the person specification element.
When writing your personal statement, use two/three professional experiences to demonstrate how you meet the person specification and provide concrete examples.
Find ways to express your enthusiasm for the post and what you can bring to the role.
If you don't have all the experience we're looking for, please detail affiliated experience which demonstrate how you have the acumen and skill to deliver this role effectively.
We know if you have used AI to write your application because opening and closing statements are the same as everyone else's, be authentic!
Most importantly, back yourself!
When writing your personal statement, use two/three professional experiences to demonstrate how you meet the person specification and provide concrete examples.
Find ways to express your enthusiasm for the post and what you can bring to the role.
If you don't have all the experience we're looking for, please detail affiliated experience which demonstrate how you have the acumen and skill to deliver this role effectively.
We know if you have used AI to write your application because opening and closing statements are the same as everyone else's, be authentic!
Most importantly, back yourself!