Job title: Coventry Foundations Project Lead
Responsible to: Executive Director
Salary: £26,000 per annum (pro rata 0.6fte – 22.5hrs/week)
Terms: Fixed term 12 months
Funded by Arts Council England and Coventry City of Culture Trust and with support from Coventry City Council
Deadline for applications is 12pm Monday 7 June 2021.
Interviews will be held in Coventry on Friday 11 June 2021
Coventry Artspace seeks to recruit an exceptional individual to lead on the implementation of The Coventry Foundations Project, an innovative programme of artist development opportunities and public facing activities. This is a hands-on role that will suit an emerging creative leader who is keen to work with our cultural partners, the city of Coventry’s diverse creative communities and cultures and to support artists as part of our creative response to Coventry’s tenure as UK City of Culture in 2021.
Coventry Artspace is a visual arts organisation founded in Coventry in 1991 and becoming a charity in 2009. Our mission is to support the development of visual artists and the visual arts in Coventry. We are passionate about supporting the development of socially engaged and community-focused visual art activity.
The post holder will report directly to the Coventry Artspace Executive Director, and will join the organisation at an exciting time as Coventry starts its year as UK City of Culture in 2021, the year we celebrate our 30th anniversary. The Project Lead will lead the work of The Coventry Foundations Project. They will be supported by a dynamic Board of Trustees and will be involved in developing the shape of Coventry Artspace future activities and its artistic programme, as it considers the legacy of this nationally-significant event.
Coventry Artspace is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer /actively working towards becoming a safe(r) organisation welcoming, supporting, and caring for beings from different routes and with different needs. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or any other category protected by law.
Foundations Project Lead | HOW TO APPLY
Please send the following via email:
- Covering letter stating your interest in this role and setting out how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the person specification requirements for this role.
- Case study (max 500 words + 5 images) of a recent project.
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact details of two appropriate referees (including your last employer)
Applications and all enquiries should be sent to mindy@coventry-artspace.co.uk
Deadline for applications is 12pm Monday 7 June 2021.
Interviews will be held in Coventry on Friday 11 June 2021
Coventry Foundations Project Lead | JOB DESCRIPTION
The post holder will lead on the delivery, review and development of an ambitious and achievable programme of support, professional development and opportunities for visual artists based in and around Coventry. The post holder will:
- Organise and administer the programme of professional development opportunities set out in the Artspace Coventry Foundations Project Plan including, for example, correspondence, record keeping, budget management and reporting.
- Where specified in the Project Plan, deliver Coventry Artspace workshops
- Liaise with workshop leaders to ensure smooth running of the activities and to support the curation and delivery of events
- Work with the Executive Director to manage productive partnerships to support the Project, including convening meetings with key partners and workshop leaders as required, for example to select artists for opportunities such as the Artist On My Street bursaries and Art of Curation workshops.
- Liaise with partners to organize and facilitate their in-kind support for the Project, including the Consultancy Bank, the Working with Galleries video and Gallery Meets for Artists.
- In consultation with the Executive Director and Project Evaluator set up and implement effective systems for data collection, monitoring and management, with due regard to GDPR.
- Ensure all activities are delivered in line with Coventry Artspace and funder’s requirements and policies and contribute positively to the organisation’s good reputation and aspirations.
- Support the implementation of the Coventry Artspace Audience Development Strategy, particularly the Ambassador’s Scheme.
- As necessary, assist the Executive Director to identify, fundraise for and implement activities and actions to extend Coventry Artspace activities and so enhance the visual arts in Coventry more widely.
- Working with the Marketing Manager, lead on internal and external communications relating to the Coventry Foundations Project, including developing and implementing interpretative material about the Coventry Foundations Project activities as appropriate, conducting tours, hosting events, and speaking in public as appropriate.
- Represent Coventry Artspace at relevant meetings, locally, regionally and nationally, as agreed with the Executive Director.
- Be a first point of contact for artists engaging with Coventry Artspace’s programme of activities.
- Assist in recruiting and coordinating volunteers as appropriate in support of the Project activities, managing and supervising volunteers and placement students as required by the Executive Director.
- Adhere to Coventry Artspace policies and procedures as set out in the Company handbook and as required by the Trustees.
- Support the Coventry Foundations Project evaluator with data collection and by maintaining an accurate archive of activity.
- Respond to routine enquiries about the project activities and opportunities from artists and others.
- Attend regular team meetings and meetings with others both on and offsite as required.
- Have reasonable flexibility regarding availability outside of normal working hours, including some evenings and weekends.
- Contribute to the smooth running of Coventry Artspace, undertaking any other duties as reasonably required.
Foundations Project Lead | PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Minimum of three years’ experience working within the context of publicly funded arts organizations
- Proven track record of delivering development workshops and working directly with artists and other creatives, including technicians and designers, to manage and deliver artists’ projects to the highest standards
- Excellent knowledge of the contemporary visual arts sector in the UK and beyond, and its key debates
- Proven track record of managing positive relationships with a range of people, communities and audiences
- Evidence of successfully developing meaningful partnerships with external organizations, companies and agencies
- Highly organised with excellent administrative and financial management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work productively as part of a team
- Experience of effective working including self-starting and multi-tasking within a small team and in a busy environment
- Very good IT skills with experience of Microsoft Office
- Experience of managing marketing activity for arts organisations, including social media and websites
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject area
- Experience of successful fundraising within the context of contemporary visual arts programming
- Specific knowledge of the cultural and creative landscape of Coventry and the wider region
- Experience of developing partnerships with the Higher Education sector
- Experience of managing staff and volunteers
- Wider networks nationally and internationally
Specific knowledge and experience of socially engaged art practices.