For the third year running, all King’s students will have the chance to spend a day working with creative teams from some of the UK’s most prestigious and exciting arts and cultural organisations.

The King’s Cultural Challenge, launched by the Cultural Institute, is a unique opportunity for students to win paid internships at the Southbank Centre, the Royal Opera House and the V&A, and cash prizes of £400. The Challenge is also a unique way for participating students to develop their skills and add to their CVs.

To take part in the first stage of the Challenge this year, no written applications are required – interested students simply need to take part in a ‘cultural hackathon’ event on Wednesday 25 March alongside directors from the partner organisations, in which they’ll receive expert idea development training and have the opportunity to pitch their ideas about how the arts can evolve. Lunch, dinner and drinks will be provided free of charge to all participating students.

Following the event, 12 students will be chosen to participate in the final of the Challenge in June, where they’ll need to come up with their own answers to one key question: ‘How can cultural organisations inspire, engage and change the world over the coming decade?’

Commenting on last year’s Challenge, one of the four winners, third year Music student and Royal Opera House intern Lauren Holden, said:
‘The process of taking part in the Challenge alone was invaluable – with the chance to test my ideas with professionals from the four institutions involved. I feel exceptionally privileged to have been given such an amazing opportunity which may even result in putting my proposal into practice!’