Helping to build a better world: Tere Chad (Sculpture MA, 2020)

Tere Chad is an artist with a focus on sustainability, artistic expression and promoting Latin American art across the globe. She is driven by her passion for collaboration and advocacy. Studying Sculpture MA at the Royal College of Art (RCA) equipped her with the skills and experience to make a positive contribution to the international art scene.

Discover Tere’s journey at the RCA.

Why did you choose the Royal College of Art?

My professional background in advertising and market research, while containing creative elements, left me longing to embrace and explore my artistic inclinations and willingness to expand my spatial thinking. I wanted to construct a globally recognised career in art, and opted for the RCA’s Sculpture MA programme. Sculpture provided the perfect foundation for me to explore diverse facets of artistic expression and the course was a first step toward realising my ambition of contributing to the international art scene.

Where are you now?

My post-RCA career has been a dynamic fusion of art and advocacy. With a deep-seated passion to give back, sustainability stands at the core of my artistic endeavours. I work to raise awareness about climate and social change through the powerful medium of art.

I’m passionate about safeguarding artists in vulnerable situations. My RCA degree equipped me with the skills to contribute to international social change projects. Since graduating, I have collaborated with the charity Artists at Risk, offering support to those affected by conflict.

While on a residency in Mexico recently, I worked on the ‘Mending Voids’ project, aimed at improving women’s safety in the region. And during a residency in Northern Ireland, I created ‘Woven Hug 2.0’ and facilitated a workshop for VAST (Victims and Survivors Trust). My diverse portfolio of projects also spans collaborations with well-known organisations including the Royal Society of Sculptors where I contributed to the ‘On the Edge’ project, focusing on promoting peace with the war in Ukraine. These opportunities wouldn’t have presented themselves had it not been for my time at the RCA.

The RCA really encourages you to keep on expanding your ideas. While studying at the College I presented Neo Norte 2.0 in London – a project seeking to empower Latin America and the Global South by suggesting turning the map upside down. Now, less than three years after graduation I have been invited to curate Neo Norte 5.0 at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo, Brazil – my first big institutional show.

What impact has the RCA had on your career?

The RCA has left a lasting impact and dramatically influenced my career trajectory. Beyond honing my artistic prowess, the RCA equipped me with skills to manage teams, something that’s proved invaluable in navigating larger projects and assuming leadership roles.

A distinctive aspect of my RCA journey was the exposure to other elements of art beyond sculpture, and opportunities to access workshops on other courses. That’s not something every school can give you. This broader understanding has enabled me to collaborate seamlessly with artists from various disciplines, with joint projects spanning fashion, art, music and performance.

The RCA supported me beyond graduation, fostering ongoing collaboration with fellow artists. This environment provides a fantastic opportunity to launch into a professional international career. My course, as well as the broader RCA community, opened doors to a vibrant professional network. Networking events, hands-on technical workshops, and lectures have been fundamental to establishing life-long connections in the art community, which will stay with me throughout my career.

Why study at the RCA?

The RCA is a melting pot of creativity and innovation, offering a rich education in art. I’d advise anyone looking to pursue a career like mine to embrace the opportunities that the RCA offers. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the RCA. It’s a transformative place that’s going to help you to get to where you want in life.

Imperial Games Sculpture, On The Edge 2.0, Royal Society of Sculptors Members Exhibition, Tere Chad, Ovada, Oxford (2024)

About the RCA Graduate Careers Report 2024

This interview was carried out for the RCA Graduate Careers Report 2024. You can read the report on this webpage.

Between November and December 2023, 1,797 RCA alumni completed a survey about their experiences at the College and where their careers have taken them since graduating. Respondents hold degrees across disciplines and include graduates from before 1980 to 2023. Data gathered from these graduates, along with alumni interviews, reflects the breadth of potential that results from studying at the RCA.