Sarah
Hello lovely arts writers and readers! It’s the end of another academic year and for me and Laura, end of an era at university. There’s a lot I would like to say in this little corner of the page, so I’ll try to keep it short. It’s the end of my second year being arts subeditor and, once again, I have loved every minute of it. I have always loved the arts. Having a creative input has quite literally saved me a lot from exterior pressures and I love sharing this headspace with people alike. The only object I had for this role was putting arts up front and centre, where she deserves to be. With all of you and Laura, we have! Speaking of Laura. I don’t even know where to start. I’ve never felt more confident in this role until Laura came along. They are so light and encouraging for the Editorial team that having the chance to work alongside them all year has been an honour. I know my third year would not have been as gorgeous as it was if Laura wasn’t by my side. I am also happy to have someone that hates InDesign as much as me! I will miss being a sub-editor for the Arts, but I have loved every second of it. This team, Laura, and all of you will be things I talk about for years.
Laura
It took a while for me to admit and commit to being a writer, let alone a poet. I always had this belief that the only way I could help people was by being a doctor or a lawyer; that my notebook scribbles or notes app entries were just something for me. When I won runner-up for our poem box last year, as a fledgling Courier writer, I felt recognised. I had long-since given up on a traditional profession already by studying Creative Writing at university, but being seen by Sarah and the rest of the paper opened my eyes to what student media can offer to the Arts community. I’ll never forget when I found out I was going to be an Arts subeditor alongside them this year and they texted ‘We’re going to make people care about the Arts again’. I’d like to think we’ve done just that. Our writers have been super enthusiastic and we’ve kept you updated on North-East happenings in every issue. The Arts is so many things to me: it’s literature, it’s painting, it’s sculpture, it’s dance, it’s theatre, it’s spoken word. But most importantly – it’s expression. The Arts help people in more ways than I could have ever imagined and I’m honoured to have shared this space with Sarah to spread the word.
All together now
Victor Shklovsky said that ‘Art is the means to live through the making of a thing’ and we couldn’t agree more. We hope to have inspired you all get involved in the vibrant Arts scene we have in Tyne and Wear or at least to give it the love it deserves. Thank you!