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Career profile
Meet Ryan, an events curator in London.
Ryan considers sustainability at every stage of the process, from the overall concept and message of an event, to the materials and logistics of putting it together.
Find out about Ryan's career and how he considers the environment in what he does.
Ryan: My name is Ryan and I'm an events curator, and here's why I love my green career.
There's no job description for what I do, what I do is I like to make culture. I like to make moments in museums, galleries or event spaces around London happen.
The whole world can see it and talk about it. Traditionally, I'm a curator, so some of the things I have to take into consideration are materials. So I'll get a white space and have to create a show. So that could be walls, a plinth, writing, sculptures, artwork, wherever possible.
I like to make sure that the material can be used and the materials are biodegradable and recyclable. Because when I create these spaces in galleries, museums or even pop-up spaces, we might not need the material afterwards. And I don't want it to turn into waste.
Even down to an artist sending in some artwork, I make sure that what they are using is not disposable. And it's something that you can be using again and again, keeping it sustainable.
There's also an academic side to curation and event management. When I host events are put on exhibitions, I make sure that the messaging is inspiring to people to play a role in making the world sustainable. For example, I curated the Animal Ball at the V&A to raise awareness about large endangered animals.
I actually didn't finish university. I'm a university dropout.
When I was in film school, I wasn't a technical person. I wasn't someone who knew how to make lights and actors look good on camera, but I was someone who can get all of that together. So I found myself becoming a producer at a very young age. And I was also throwing parties for my friends at uni. And it all kind of fused.
I thought, why don't I take all of these cool people and cool stuff and make these events happen? And it kind of came together. And when I moved to London, I called it being a curator.
We often don't talk about the fact that in creative industries, people have other jobs to get to where they want to be. Most people I work with at some point had two or three. I mean, I was a towel guy at a local gym, worked at restaurants and bars.
If you have to get a job to support you financially, it's a great way to get started in your creative career. Just make sure you have a plan and get the balance right regarding work and personal life and be careful not to overwork yourself.
Educate yourself about the industry and read all the books that you can. I would also say get involved. It's important to seize any opportunity to enter the industry, whether that be an internship or an apprentice or a volunteer role or just approach the people that you're inspired by and say, I'd love to work with you. Give me a shot.
There’s no job description for what I do. What I do is I like to make culture.
Ryan, events curator
- Ryan left university part-way through because he wasn't getting the most from it. He left to focus on organising events, skills he had gained during his time at university.
- Ryan took part-time work to financially support himself while he was establishing himself as curator in London.
- He works closely with clients to make sure the event's message is clear and inspirational, particularly when it is about the environment.
- Ryan selects sustainable materials for the events when possible and will ask featured artists and contributors to be as equally conscious.
Green events
We all like to socialise and enjoy visiting arts, sporting and cultural events and venues.
However, these events have the potential to carry a cost for the environment, from the waste they produce and energy they require.
The new international standard (ISO 20121) gives guidance for event organisers, including carbon emissions reporting, and opens up sustainable possibilities for creativity.
As Ryan says, it is important to make these events sustainable, fun and attractive. Similarly, events have the potential to connect people with environmental messages and create a space to explore and discuss issues.
Salary and hours
Ryan is an events curator. The information below relates to an events manager, a role that shares some similar responsibilities.
- Events manager salary: £21,000 to £50,000 per year
- Events manager working hours: 37 to 39 hours per week. You may work evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Entry requirements
You can get this role through a university course, college course, an apprenticeship, volunteering or applying directly.
You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in events management, marketing or communications. You'll usually need 1 or 2 A-levels (or equivalent) for a foundation degree or higher national diploma or 2 to 3 A-levels (or equivalent) for a degree.
This information is a guide (sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service)
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