CONTENTS

Career summary

Experience and skills

Experience

Artist portfolio

Art teaching

Exhibitions, events and gallery

Project management and administration

Budget management

Collaboration

Skills and abilities

Ability to lead, organise and plan

Communication and interpersonal skills

Writing and editing

Proficiency with software

Preparing and meeting timelines

Research

Working independently on multiple projects

Artist profile

Collaboration

Gallery practices and standards

Copyright and licensing

Negotiating contracts

Import, export and customs

CV - extended

Employment

Qualifications

Contact information

Laura Swale CV / portfolio

At school I discovered a talent for drawing and a love of art. I graduated from Bath Spa University, UK with a BA (Hons) in graphic design and illustration. My first positions were at the Atkinson Gallery and teaching art at Millfield School. I explored publishing, administration and office management while studying for a postgraduate teaching qualification in art. I then spent 15 years as a secondary school art teacher and Arts department leader in the UK and internationally, and two years as an artist in residence.

On arriving in Malta in 2016, my personal artistic practice led me to work with other visual artists and to found Allura, the award-winning visual arts company which I still run. Then in 2019 I was appointed Arts and Culture Coordinator for the Times of Malta, a role which involved both writing and editing, and which immersed me in the broader local arts sector. 

Through my company Allura, I showcase Malta’s contemporary fine artists by sharing their process of making. We also sell original art through our online gallery Allura Art. In 2023 Allura also developed and launched an art materials shop called Art Store Malta. I am involved in every aspect of our projects from concept to completion.

PGCE (PoCET) Art teaching qualification (MQF Level 7)

BA (Hons) Illustration / Graphic Design (MQF Level 6)

For a career summary, full qualifications and experience,

please see extended CV.

Since my first gallery role in 1998, I have worked in a range of arts-related contexts and accumulated extensive project management and administration experience and many other skills.

Laura Swale - portfolio website

My work in the arts sector is heavily influenced by my teaching background. My interest in education and learning is now reflected in projects which highlight the process of making.

I spent 15 years in art education as an art teacher and head of arts departments. I have taught A level, GCSE, International Baccalaureat and the Australian and Papua New Guinean curricula. I have also taught art in adult education. I have taught a wide range of arts and crafts disciplines, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, crafts, textiles, graphic design, digital illustration, mosaic, framing, ceramics, photography, life-drawing, 3D sculpture and model-making, art history and contextual studies at secondary level up to A Level and IB. I have also taught French up to A Level and in advanced adult classes. 

For numerous exhibitions, private views and other arts-related events and initiatives, I have pitched, fund-raised and budgeted, project managed, designed, scheduled, planned, organised, operated, documented and marketed, from concept to completion. This includes writing, curating, hosting, video production, web development, branding, graphic design, reporting and monitoring.

Click here for a list of exhibitions and events

I established Allura and the Allura Art online gallery which have won several awards.

The Allura Art website went live in December 2020. Allura Art is a multi-faceted visual arts platform which includes an online gallery. Since we do not have a ‘bricks and mortar’ gallery, we organise our shows and events at external venues instead.

We currently have 14 artists on our books and since we regularly onboard new artists, the Allura Art collection is continually evolving. I am responsible for identifying suitable artists, curating portfolios, researching and writing biographies, conducting interviews and writing articles. We publish regular blog posts and operate other projects such as our Artist Secrets series. Through our various activities we showcase local talent and to date have sold around 80 original paintings.

I project-manage and curate our exhibitions and am responsible for coordinating every aspect from start to finish. This includes identifying venues and financing, and liaising with artists for the selection, transportation, packing and storage of works. I also deal with scheduling, insurance, security, installation, display, graphic design, video production, social media and marketing. Some exhibitions also function as open studio events during which the artists are present on site to meet the public, so this adds another dimension to the logistics. Allura also has an employee who supports with many elements of this work. 

In addition to the exhibitions and events produced by Allura I also planned events during my teaching career. One of my proudest achievements was as head of Expressive Arts at Port Moresby International School. My ‘Artists of Tomorrow’ initiative brought well-known Papua New Guinean artists to our school for workshops with our students. We presented artists’ work alongside that of the students in a collective exhibition which was covered by the National Courier newspaper and featured by the national TV station on prime time news. 

Art at the Corinthia Palace - 2022

Video of the opening

Photos of the opening

Photos of the exhibition

The Big Show - 2021

Video of the opening

Photos of the opening

Photos of the exhibition

Times of Malta article

The Trail Valletta - 2021

Photo gallery - Trail event

Times of Malta article

Gebla - paintings from the rock - 2018

Allura - open art studios - pop up - 2018

The Trail - 2018

Photo gallery - Trail event

Photo gallery - Trail launch

Event listing on Valletta 2018

Event page on Facebook

The Trail article by Esther Lafferty

The Trail article by Stephanie Fsadni

The Trail article about Campari sponsorship

Project management

I am the project manager for my company Allura. We have been recognised for our innovative arts projects and events with a number of awards and shortlistings. 

In addition to the above Exhibitions and Events by Allura, I have also project-managed two series of Allura’s Artists Secrets series, successfully funding each one through Arts Council Malta, corporate sponsorships or other cultural funding schemes. I set up the Allura Art website and the website of the new online art materials shop Art Store Malta. I have project-managed Art Store Malta from research and development stage through to the post-launch marketing phase. 

I have personally initiated, designed, planned and scheduled all of these projects, delivering each one within agreed timeframes and on budget. This has involved coordinating internal and external parties including artists, venue managers, service providers and various other collaborators, liaising with the media and delivering reports to funding bodies.

My project management approach

I begin by establishing objectives and setting goals, working backwards to set realistic milestones, schedule activities in each phase, match skills and allocate resources. Although the ultimate key to success is thorough planning, without a meaningful project and reliable people, the project will fall short of its aims. To mitigate risks, anticipate problems and tackle practical challenges, I keep a constant eye on the bigger picture, problem-solving as I go along, and reacting to new information to refine delivery. Post-project review and feedback is also invaluable in gauging success and avoiding pitfalls in future projects.

Administration

In previous early-career roles which were purely administrative, including that of office manager, my duties included managing correspondence and diaries, organising travel and accommodation, scheduling and minuting meetings, fielding external calls, internal communications, processing mail, and stock and budget management. 

Departmental budgets 

As a teacher, one of the duties of my Head of Arts Department roles was to allocate departmental budgets for students’ art materials, and music, dance and theatre equipment. I often managed to streamline these budgets to make efficiencies and invest in new resources. 

Company finances and budgeting

I prepare quarterly company accounts for our accountant, who in turn passes them to an auditor once a year. Obviously the challenge is to generate sufficient revenues from art sales and the provision of arts-related services in order to cover operating costs including payroll and to maintain cash-flow. This means keeping a close eye on incomings and outgoings and carrying out ongoing budget projections to set financial targets. 

Aside from establishing revenue streams, I have also secured business funding through Malta Enterprise’s Business Start and Business Development and Continuity Schemes, through two separate financial awards from the Malta Intellectual Property Awards and through private investment.

As a self-employed person I also manage my personal business accounts.

Project budgets

As director of Allura I cost all our exhibitions, projects and programmes. I prepare budgets, secure and manage funding and monitor budgets closely to keep them on track. I also carry out financial reports for funding bodies and submit expenses.

Securing finance

I have secured either cash grants, sponsorships in kind, or both, from the entities listed below, almost all of which required monitoring and reporting from us, some of it extensive. All budgets were managed correctly and all associated projects were successfully delivered. 

Government / EU funding

Arts Council Malta - two-time recipient of the Programme Support Fund for Allura Open Art Studios Programme

E-Commerce Grant Scheme

Malta Tourism Authority

Malta Enterprise - Beneficiary of the Business Start and Business Development and Continuity Schemes

Cultural funds

The Melita Foundation - two-time recipient

Corporate sponsorship

Grant Thornton, Campari (Farsons), Printagram, Iniala, VeeGeeBee Art and Hydrolectric.

Attard & Co

Art Store Malta was a collaboration funded by Attard & Co. I costed and scheduled the project myself, then once the budget was approved, I worked closely with CFO and accounts department to monitor spending and flag any unanticipated costs.

Attard & Co also sponsored both of Allura’s open studio programmes.

To deliver exhibitions and events in Malta I’ve so far collaborated widely, both internally with a team and externally. I’ve worked with 30 venues, 6 corporate sponsors, 14 Allura artists (and a further 54 if we count the Allura Artists of The Trail in 2018), funding bodies such as Arts Council Malta and Malta Enterprise / Business First, The Malta Tourism Authority, The Melita Foundation and The Social Impact Awards. I also work with The Sovereign Art Foundation and Attard & Co.

I hope my awards and successfully completed projects are testament to how well I work with others, especially when you consider the scale of the projects. For example, our first Trail event in 2018 involved 54 artists exhibiting and painting on site at 20 venues simultaneously. Coordinating such a large group of artists, venue managers and other stakeholders was an exceptional undertaking, requiring calm, flexibility and quick thinking under pressure.

My first leadership roles were in an educational setting where I managed departments with courses in multiple subjects, not always in my specialist field. I designed, led and developed new projects, initiatives and art courses while carrying a full-time personal teaching load and managing other teachers and implementing their performance management strategies.

I also worked during the holidays at summer schools and led large groups of English language students on excursions to visit tourist attractions around the country. These experiences equipped me well for becoming an entrepreneur with employees and for leading projects involving large numbers of people with diverse nationalities and languages.

Both roles required leadership, organisational and people management skills.

Interpersonal skills and networking

On arrival in Malta I focused heavily on networking as a means not only to establish business connections, but as the best way to familiarise myself with my field locally and those who operated within it. My networking efforts enabled me to establish a collective of artists for my business and a growing social media following of several thousand (Malta Artists Facebook group - 5,000 members) for our activities promoting the Arts.

I have pitched to a wide range of local organisations and companies and managed to secure sponsors for my business, land endorsements and set up collaborations. I have been invited to judge art competitions, speak at events and guest-lecture at the University of Malta.

I have been involved in various business networking organisations, start-up presentations and events, conferences, summits, seminars and award ceremonies. I have met ministers, mayors, business leaders, celebrities, artists and performers, appeared on television, radio and in print media, all in my efforts to promote Malta’s talent. I consider it an honour to present and showcase culture and the Arts here and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.

Presentation and communication skills

As a teacher I presented daily to large groups over a period of fifteen years. The skills I acquired during my teaching career were highly transferable. This people-facing role gave me a vast amount of public speaking experience. Since becoming an entrepreneur I have pitched and presented in a business environment at conferences, seminars and networking events including the Malta Innovation Summit, the Malta Social Impact Awards, Malta’s Women in Business conference and many others. I have pitched our projects hundreds of times in meetings to potential sponsors, partners and collaborators and spoken at our events to welcome guests and introduce our company and its work. I am the host of video series Artist Secrets, a guest speaker at the University of Malta and I am also on the judging panel of several art competitions. 

Media appearances and interviews

Artist Secrets - Laura Swale interviews local artists in this behind-the-scenes series by Allura

Allura’s video pitch for social impact awards - Laura Swale pitches a project to win funding

Television

Live on Illum ma’ Steph promoting The Big Show

Laura Swale interviews Olafur Eliasson about Earthspeakr

Live open call for The Trail with Ben Camille on TVM’s Twelve to 3

Live on Illum ma’ Steph with artists of The Trail

Live on Kultura News talking about The MACC

Live with Professor Richard England on Illum ma’ Steph

Live with Ben Camille talking about The MACC

Live with Ben Camille crowdfunding Allura’s arts project

For our exhibitions and events, I am exclusively responsible for writing all exhibition-related text, from labels and signage to exhibition statements, artist biographies, artwork descriptions, artist interviews, news articles, press releases and press packs and other printed materials. I also design posters which require text, social media posts, lists of works, invitations and all other marketing materials and graphic design.

I achieved top grades in English language and literature exams at school. I also spent two years in France studying for the Baccalauréat and therefore have French as a second language. I proof-read extensively while in publishing, then as a teacher I marked essays, exams, homework and other teachers’ reports, both in English and French. I also moderated exams and peer marking, and wrote and designed courses and assessments. 

I write content for my own company Allura, including all our blog posts, social media and event marketing. I have also written for national media, most notably as Arts and Culture Coordinator for the Times of Malta (see below).

Arts and Culture Coordinator for the Times of Malta

As Arts and Culture Coordinator for the Times of Malta I was responsible for the weekly 12-page Arts and Entertainment section of the Sunday newspaper. This involved identifying and creating suitable written and photographic content, fielding requests for inclusion, coordinating writers and reviewers, proof-reading, editing and verifying all content and collating a weekly ‘What’s On’ guide. I also wrote articles myself (links below). In addition to visual arts, I was occasionally called upon to write a Times of Malta editorial. I also covered other arts-related areas including music, literature, theatre, dance, film, cultural events and the impact of COVID-19 on the arts sector. 

Times of Malta welcomes Laura Swale

Blogs

Blog - Allura Art blog 68 blog posts to date (2020 - 2023)

Blog - Art Store Malta 8 blog posts to date (2023)

Artist biographies

Artist biographies - Allura Art

Click to open each artist’s profile to read their full biography.

Press articles - visual arts

Times of Malta

2023

Sovereign Student Art Prize

2022

Can painting co-exist with the realities of motherhood?

The church as muse - timeless beauty or icon of the past?

Artists on International Women’s Day

Malta Independent

2021

Big time sensuality - abstract art - the beautiful stranger

To Malta with Love - Laura Swale talks to Malta’s landscape painters

Times of Malta

2020

Art - the gift that keeps on giving

Music for the eyes - the artist as maestro

Passing on the paintbrush - Earthspeakr by Olafur Eliasson

When artists become activists - Earthspeakr by Olafur Eliasson

Art and the city

The bold and the beautiful - a new contemporary art gallery in Marsascala

When life gives you lemons - Digital arts students discuss the digital shift

Laura Swale talks to artist activists about their new campaign

Laura Swale talks to the author and illustrator of a COVID-19 children’s book

Laura Swale explores the effects of quarantine on visual artists

Quarantine Creativity - how artist Bob Cardona is handling life indoors

Laura Swale interviews artist Gorg Mallia about solo show

Malta’s got talent - the Sovereign Student Art Prize

Laura Swale meets artist jewellers before Society of Arts show

Putting Malta on the watercolour map

Painting the light fantastic - Mark Muscats new show

It’s a man’s world - Margarita Pule curates feminist art exhibition

2019

Gala at Valletta Contemporary art gallery

Laura Swale meets artist Damian Darmanin and Professor Richard England

Laura Swale explores new makerspace for artists and creatives

Professor Raphael Vella discusses new exhibition celebrating female students

Major art competition seeks the next big thing

Press articles - non-visual arts

Times of Malta

2020

Events cancelled - Laura Swale talks to the protagonists

How coronavirus cancellations have hit the entertainment industry

A hero’s journey

After the storm - how will COVID-19 impact the arts?

COVID-19 and the future of the book industry

Art and culture online - is it ok not to pay?

The blooming power of Viennese elegance

Valletta to sparkle in festive operatic extravaganza

The magic of a golden era - a glittering show to raise the roof

2019

Bringing sexy back - when opera meets burlesque

Estonian film at Spazju Kreattiv

The magic of storytelling

Throughout my varied career I have used MS Office suite programs such as Excel, Word and more recently the Google Drive versions of these applications. I use Powerpoint, Outlook and various online applications such as Trello and GANTT chart creation websites. I am also proficient in web-design using Squarespace and Wix which I used to design websites for Allura Art and Art Store Malta. I use Photoshop for graphic design and image manipulation, including all of our exhibition posters, guides and marketing materials to date.

In 2021 I learned how to use Final Cut Pro to edit video. I have carried out post-production for the Artist Secrets series and all Allura’s video content since then. I also use Sketchup to create 3D visualisations. I can physically measure up a space to create floorplans, elevations and 3D visuals, and can then design custom furniture to fit the space and commission a carpenter to make it. I have also previously used Adobe InDesign and Illustrator.

Whenever there has been a skills gap, I have identified provision and secured funding for training. I have twice had training financed for myself and my colleague through the Jobsplus scheme Investing in Skills.

To schedule a project I usually begin by creating a GANTT chart. I establish a time period with a final deadline, then drop in milestones from the planning phase through to completion and review. My projects typically range between several weeks to around 18 months.

It’s vital to keep everyone on track, and my greatest challenges have been in managing external parties with other priorities, especially in the case of simultaneous or overlapping projects. Vigilance, communication, good people skills and creativity have been key to bringing my projects in on time.

My work in the Maltese arts sector requires constant research, to keep abreast of what’s happening in my field and to remain relevant within it. I also carry out research for projects, for commercial purposes, for funding applications and competitive pitches, such as at the Social Impact Awards and the Malta Innovation Summit. My many sources include Arts Council Malta surveys, NSO publications, EU reports, art market studies and local media. 

I also recently designed and conducted my own survey. The Malta Artists Survey was a series of around 80 questions aimed at local artists about various aspects of their practice. We had over 300 artists respond, providing very valuable information. I came up with the idea, costed the exercise, devised the questions, set up the online questionnaire, published and marketed it and organised a prize draw for the random winner. I also collated and analysed the results.

I hope that my successes as an independent player within the arts sector demonstrate that I am driven and self-motivated and would be an asset in almost any visual arts context.

I have experience running multiple projects with competing deadlines. Let me provide an example of in-tandem and interlinked projects. The Art Store Malta website needed to be live before series two of Artist Secrets was published, because the series promoted the art materials sold by the store. Due to external factors outside of our control the Art Store Malta project was running behind. We risked losing our funding and damaging our reputation. I managed to bring the Art Store Malta schedule back on track by working evenings and weekends myself and by employing and training emergency staff and we pulled it off.