Alumni Stories - Elaine Manley
"My endless curiosity finds joy in the journey of exploration and research"
Name: Elaine Manley
Current Career: Curatorial Researcher at the National Museum of Ireland for the Changing Ireland Exhibition (due to open 2024)
Graduation Year: 2020
Discipline: Design History and Material Culture
Location: Kilkenny/Dublin
What career path did you want to follow as a child?
I feel like I have an unusual career path because I started in Graphic Design, that was my undergrad that I studied in Cork and I’ve done a few freelance projects and I like it but I never found my niche. What I did find is a love of research, really getting in-depth into a subject and looking at subjects from as many angles as I can think of. This was the transferable skill that led me to study Design History and Material Culture. I can’t help but want to get inside an object, discover what lives it lived, and try to understand the world from its point of view.
I spent a few years working as a tour guide at the National Gallery of Ireland. This was a great job because you got to talk to people about what they thought of a piece of art and engage with them through the stories of each piece. I loved working with the school groups online during Covid, every group was different but young people when they feel like they can open up, can share the most amazing insights that you would have never thought of – I found sometimes that I was the one taking notes from them!
I now work as a researcher at the National Museum of Ireland. This involves working with objects and whatever those objects may need – this means working with other departments like registration, conservation, and imaging; doing research on the context in which the object was used and who used it, as well as background information on the time period; and many discussion within the Art and Industry department as to whether this is indeed the right object to tell the story. This has given me so much insight into the inner workings of museums and the cultural heritage sector. I really feel like I found my people.
Why did you decide to study at the National College of Art and Design?
When I looked at the MA course it was ‘design history’ that caught my eye, it was something familiar from my undergrad course. However, it’s material culture that I fell in love with. It’s hard to describe other than it’s about stuff! It’s about everything really and my endless curiosity finds joy in the journey of exploration and research.
The best part about being a student at NCAD was the people I met. My class size was small so we really got to know each other and to see other’s work flourish. I learnt so much from the people I was studying with.
How did you develop your career towards your current job?
This may sound weird but trying to do a thesis during the first few months of Covid-19 actually helped immensely. Suddenly I had to be so much more resourceful when trying to find information, I had to think of different sources and new approaches to my research. I think this helped me get the job I have today as a Curatorial Researcher at the NMI. We are working towards the next permanent exhibition at Collins Barracks NMI, Changing Ireland: Stories from the Collection 1900 to 2020. What makes me excited about this exhibition is that it’s history that many people will remember, and I can’t wait to hear what people think of it.
What essential tips and advice can you provide?
Use the resources you have available to you as a student, you won’t know yourself when those are no longer there! NCAD has a fantastic library, use it – books can be really expensive!
What in your opinion are the most meaningful opportunities for those pursuing creative careers today?
There are so many opportunities available to you and try to go with as many of them as you can. During Covid I went to so many online talks and did digital museum tours to keep me mentally aware of what was going on in the museum sector and the wider world. Now, if you can, go to the openings, the lectures, and the online talks. These are experiences that will expand your world.
Portfolio Links:
www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-mary-manley
Instagram: @the_elainemanley
