Photography News 05

16

Competitions

INTERVIEW

157 years of excellence The Royal Photographic Society’s International Print Exhibition has been running since 1854, and has been the launch pad for the careers of a slew of celebrated photographers. We asked the exhibitions manager, Lesley Goode, for the secrets of the competition’s success

How did you get into your role as exhibitions manager? I started working for the RPS in 1999, and was offered the role of exhibitions manager in 2003. My background in teaching has given me the organisational skills required for the job. My teaching specialism was in art and I did some modules in photography, so this has given me an appreciation and a love of the photographic image. What are your other responsibilities besides the Print exhibition? The role has developed significantly since I started and I now have a full-time assistant. As well as the International Print Exhibition, we also run other competitions which result in RPS touring exhibitions, including the annual International Images for Screen Exhibition (formerly the International Slide Exhibition),

BELOWHome from a Maternity Hospital, by Sergey Anisimov.

the biennial RPS Members’ Print Exhibition and the biennial International Images for Science Exhibition . We organise one-off exhibitions like Celebrate a Summer of Sport , which celebrated the 2012 Olympics as part of the Cultural Olympiad, and exhibitions for photo events, such as the Bristol Festival of Photography and London Photo Art Fair, plus a monthly online competition for RPS members and a monthly display of member’s print work in the reception area at our headquarters in Bath. We also work with hospitals, by providing temporary exhibitions for display. In addition to these exhibitions, we also arrange RPS patronage to other organised exhibitions and salons which fulfil The Society’s criteria for recognition and, of course, we also update the exhibitions, competitions and events on the RPS website so, as you can imagine, we are kept very busy indeed!

Interview by Will Cheung

What is the background to the RPS International Print Exhibition? The Royal Photographic Society’s International Print Exhibition is the longest-standing exhibition of its kind in the world. It was first shown in 1854, the year following the formation of The Society. Now in its 157th year, it has gained a reputation for showcasing a wide range of genres and styles of photography, with cutting-edge images being shown alongside traditional work. The high profile of the exhibition’s history, name and format ensures wide coverage by the photographic media and a positive response from gallery visitors. We have also developed an education pack, which is now an important element of exhibitions for many of the galleries.

www.photography-news.co.uk

Photography News | Issue 5

Powered by