Internship sparks passion for regional arts
Regional Arts WA
Matylda Bejger has been interning at Regional Arts WA from Curtin University during the last semester of her degree. She has been supporting Regional Arts WA in our culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Youth Inclusion Action Plans. Here is her story, and if you have a story to share, please make sure to submit it. We love hearing from you!
When the opportunity to intern at Regional Arts WA came up, I knew it would be perfect. It was the last thing I needed to do to finish my degree and find full-time work. At first it was just that, a way to move forward and to graduate. However, this experience changed all of that. I found passions that I never knew I had and got to do it all around incredible people. I always knew that I wanted to end up in a career where I could make sure people get to be heard.
Matylda Bejger. Photo by Jasmine Eales.
While interning at Regional Arts WA I have been working with the Communications team. I was given the opportunity to learn from them and sit in on meetings. I got to feel like I was a part of the team, like what I had to say would one day make a difference.
My main task while here has been to write a guideline on making the work we do more accessible for everyone, focusing on language and web accessibility. In particular, the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community and the youth of regional WA. Researching accessibility has been an eye-opening experience. I have been able to learn exactly what it takes to make sure that everyone has access to the same opportunities.
Accessibility is now something that is at the forefront of everything I do in my personal life. From font size to alternative text on social media, I have researched it all. Knowing that one day my research will help artists in regional WA chase their dreams has made the past few weeks even better. It felt like being a part of something bigger, like creating change.
Getting tasked with this was perfect as I was born and raised in Poland. I came to Australia with no knowledge of the English language 12 years ago. I was able to take my own experiences, and the experiences of my parents and sister, with language accessibility and apply those to the guidelines I created.
By far the biggest thing I have learned has to be about how important it is to avoid creating stigma around accessibility. Doing things like adding descriptions to photos for example, can make all the difference. It can make people feel seen.
These past few weeks have helped narrow down exactly where I want to be in the future. Helping others while surrounded by a supportive and passionate team.
