Christopher Counihan
Edinburgh
Summary
- Adaptable Gallery Assistant who is well versed in both the daily operations of how a gallery is run, but also has experience working in managerial positions. Incredibly sharp eye for detail, I always pay attention to the smallest potential issues as I see them, but also pride myself in my ability to approach each task with a renewed perspective and adjust as needed
- Creative individual who loves working in a team, is highly passionate about community run projects, and hopes to continue to develop in the arts sector as a member who helps expand the reach of contemporary art, particularly to communities who were historically ignored from this field
- Versatile worker with a large set of experience in the arts sector. I have worked as a FoH assistant, as a manager for a volunteer program in a major gallery, and have recently worked as a freelance gallery tech for a variety of contemporary art institutions
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Welcome Assistant and Freelance On-Site Tech
Collective Gallery
07.2024 - Current
- Invigilate exhibitions ensuring the artworks are kept safe and functioning, and providing information as needed to the public
- Fill in as Duty Manager when necessary, helping run the FoH staff on days where other DMs are absent
- Trained as a barista to work on-site at the coffee kiosk, and man the shop. Experience with POS systems and stock taking
- Additionally I help out with any additional technical work as needed as I also work as a freelance arts installation tech. Have worked as a freelance tech for install for the past three exhibitions
Gallery Assistant
Talbot Rice Gallery
Edinburgh
04.2023 - 11.2023
- Worked with their volunteer program which was the main source of the FoH duties at the gallery. Interviewed potential candidates, updated rotas, provided training, and was the main source of contact between the volunteers and the office staff
- Fully digitised their shop experience. Prior to my joining the team the storefront was fully manual. I digitised and automated many of the systems most notably the stock situation. Revamped the storefront to be more friendly facing and less obtrusive. Increased sales of merchandise by roughly 15% during my time there. Completely redone and reorganised the stock and point of sale system to be more modern, easier to operate, and fully customisable for when my contract ended
- Helped with archiving their backroom, organising all previous guidebooks and any previous editions they produced
- Highly involved in tours, giving some myself but also training the volunteers on how to effectively communicate the themes of the show at the time
- Was tasked with many office managerial duties, including timetabling, booking hotels and flights for guests, helping organise events, buying stock, promoting the current catalogue, working with artist (particularly Jesse Jones), etc.
- Provided photography for events, and also some for the catalogue. Did work in Photoshop and InDesign for the website. Have extensive experience in both
- Was brought on as a freelance technician to help install some exhibtions once my contract was up
Information Assistant
Fruitmarket Gallery
Edinburgh
05.2021 - 04.2023
- Invigilated multiple exhibitions, including many during the Covid period. Helped ensure that the art was cared for and protected at all times, whilst also making sure to make the patrons of Fruitmarket feel comfortable in the space
- Helped out with many events, at first simply as an assistant hand, but eventually became more involved. Was very involved in the FreshFruit relaunch at Fruitmarket which launched just before I left. Helped out with the organisation of the event, and provided all the photography as needed
Education
Master of Science - Literature (American)
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh 09.2017 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Film/Philosophy Joint Honours
University College Cork
Edinburgh 09.2012 - 05.2016
Skills
- Experience working in galleries from both a front of house perspective, but also from a more managerial position
- Excellent interpersonal skills Highly social and excellent in public facing roles
- Highly proficient workflow and extremely self-motivated owing to my years of doing a solitary PhD
- Experience in writing and publishing public facing articles, statements, signage, etc Able to disseminate information into short, concise, and understandable public packages
- Work great in a team of any size Again, I value my ability to communicate well, to get my opinion across in an respectful manner, and to truly listen to the viewpoints of my coworkers
- Highly experienced with the Adobe Suite of products, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, and Lightroom Have worked as a freelance photographer in some capacity for the past 10 years
- Variety of experience in art handling, and fully insured with an UK based arts insurance institution
References
Monika Stepanikova (Duty and Office Manager) - Talbot Rice Gallery
- Monika.Stepanikova@ed.ac.uk
Alice Mainstone (Facilities and Operations Manager) - Collective Gallery
- AliceMainstone@collective-edinburgh.art
Timeline
Welcome Assistant and Freelance On-Site Tech
Collective Gallery
07.2024 - Current
Gallery Assistant
Talbot Rice Gallery
04.2023 - 11.2023
Information Assistant
Fruitmarket Gallery
05.2021 - 04.2023
Master of Science - Literature (American)
University of Edinburgh
09.2017 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Film/Philosophy Joint Honours
University College Cork
09.2012 - 05.2016
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