Hannah Travers

Hannah Travers, a 2007 graduate of the University of Kent with a BA (Hons) in History and Philosophy of Art, has a distinguished career in art and non-profit sectors. Starting at Intuit and White Cube gallery, she transitioned to City & Guilds of London Art School in 2018, eventually becoming Head of Development & External Relations.

In June 2024, she became Development Director at National Saturday Club, where she leads fundraising for creative education. Hannah is also a trustee at Hypha Studios.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After my stint with accountancy software company Intuit upon graduation, I managed to get an internship at White Cube gallery in London. I spent 8 years of my early career in sales there, working with collectors and artists. 2018 saw a move to the not-for-profit sector joining City & Guilds of London Art School as Development Manager. From 2021, I held the role of Head of Development & External Relations, a senior management team role that encompassed donor relations and fundraising for capital projects, core funding, bursaries/ scholarships and special projects.

In June 2024 I took up the role of Development Director at National Saturday Club. A charity that works with a network of University, College, and Museum partners to offer weekly clubs in the creative, science and society subjects to 13-16 year olds for free. This role will see me lead, devise and deliver a fundraising strategy to actively diversify and increase the National Saturday Club’s income, working across all areas of fundraising to secure corporate partnerships, sponsors, major donors and philanthropic gifts. I am honoured to take on this instrumental role in enabling the charity to extend its footprint, reaching more young people and offer them free extracurricular creative education opportunities nationwide.

Since Spring 2022 I have also been a Trustee on the board of Hypha Studios, a charity who match creatives with vacant property to provide free exhibition and studio space, bringing culture to high streets around the UK.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

So far the work days are varied and that suits me really well. I enjoy using all the different parts of my brain. It is a privilege to have offices in the historic and vibrant Somerset House, London and so arriving in the morning  is always a lovely start to the day. A typical day will include catching up with emails, meetings with colleagues, going out to meetings with donors, partners and prospective supporters, analysing data and figures, writing content for funding applications and presentations, research and attending networking and partner events.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

Whilst at City & Guilds of London Art School, I was able to secure significant funding towards a new suite of Widening Participation programming to engage local Young People in Lambeth and Southwark to explore their creativity through Art, Craft, Making and Design and the options for study and careers in the sector. The work also supported local state secondary schools to enhance their offer in this area. Access to education and the Arts are very close to my heart and ultimately informed my decision to take on the role that has followed with National Saturday Club. 

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

My degree gave me the knowledge and confidence to read an image, think critically, present a point of view and speak about art with authenticity, passion and an openness to multiple meanings. A job selling accountancy software after university gave me sales and business skills. This combination allowed me to secure an internship in the sales team at White Cube and the career that has followed. 

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

1. Know your stuff, the depth and breadth.  
2. Relationships are everything. Your stakeholders are likely to be senior and experienced people who have been around long enough to know what is real and what isn't. If you are lucky enough work for a cause or business you care about know that organisation inside out, speak with passion, listen and be yourself, this authenticity will shine out of you and in my experience give donors, investors, clients and collaborators confidence in you, your organisation and what you are asking them to say yes to.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student? 

I was in the Art History Society and spent a lot of time at Indie Discos. It was 2007!

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

Watching my friend's Art Metal/ Hard Core band dressed in Mexican wrestling masks and underpants under very bright strip lighting go down like a lead balloon with the punters in the Lighthouse Bar in 2006. They were great, but almost no one understood it and it was very very funny. Etched in my memory forever for better or worse.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

In those days I was a procrastinator, thankfully now I am a detailed planner. I wish I had not caused myself so much stress by leaving things to the 11th hour. Lessons were learned.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Yes, one or two from my course and many of the friends I made through halls and the indie scene.

What are your future ambitions?

Having just secured a dream job, I am letting that sit for a while. More generally my ambition is to contribute to a society that offers more opportunities for all young people to pursue their ambitions for creative careers and to tell their stories through the variety of mediums. The sector needs diversity of all types and work in the creative sector should be a respected and encouraged career option with clear pathways open to everyone. The creative industries are a massive income generator for the UK and are full of interesting and fulfilling jobs of all kinds, we just need to come together to remove the barriers to entry. I feel very lucky to have somehow got a foot in the door, despite having no family or social connections to the art world.