Vivi Kallinikou

A transformative experience

Coming to New Cross was such a formative experience for me. I met incredibly interesting and inspiring people, and my time in the Department of Visual Cultures fundamentally challenged the way I saw the world. It pushed me to unlearn a lot of assumptions and ideas I had arrived with.

The MA Contemporary Art Theory programme was rigorous and deeply thought-provoking—it shook me up in the best possible way.

After graduation, I had to slowly rebuild my worldview with more awareness and nuance, and that transformation has stayed with me ever since.

Life after Goldsmiths

I'm currently the Managing Director of ArtRabbit. I love working on a project and within a community that’s actively rethinking how we engage with art and culture, especially with a focus on inclusion and accessibility. There’s no clear blueprint for what that should look like, which is both the challenge and the beauty of it.

We get to experiment, learn, and co-create with a wide range of voices from within and beyond the art world, and that constant evolution is something I find really energising.

Favourite spots around campus

When the weather was nice, hanging out on the Green was a highlight. I also had a favourite reading spot in the upper floors of the library, right by the window. I have such vivid memories of sitting there, reading and writing while looking out across campus.

And the terrace on the fifth floor of the Ben Pimlott Building offered stunning views across London.

Advice for future students

It really is what you make of it. Be proactive and organised, and take advantage of as many events, talks, and extracurriculars as your schedule allows.

Most importantly, challenge yourself, not just academically, but personally. Question your assumptions, stay open to new perspectives, and lean into the discomfort that comes with growth. Especially if you’re doing a Master’s, time flies, so don’t wait. Fully immerse yourself from day one.