About Wysing Arts Centre
Wysing Arts Centre, founded in 1989, is a dynamic and progressive rural arts organization, located ten miles from Cambridge city. Our mission is to provide artists and the public with a nurturing space for creativity, free from daily life distractions. We believe in promoting creativity as a fundamental right.
Our facilities include 20 subsidized studios, accommodation for up to 80 visiting artists, recording and ceramics studios, flexible spaces, extensive outdoor areas, and a digital platform that extends our reach globally. Wysing actively engages with artists from diverse backgrounds and takes a proactive stance on equity and inclusion.
We offer a supportive environment for artists to reflect on their practice, free from the pressure of producing new work. We are proud to have supported artists who have achieved prestigious awards, such as the Turner Prize and Paul Hamlyn Awards.
Our engagement extends to all age groups through workshops, events, and an alternative art school called The Syllabus. We are dedicated to reaching rural communities through our youth program and are currently establishing a youth council.
Funding for our programs comes primarily from Arts Council England’s National Portfolio scheme, supplemented by grants, foundations, and individual donations. We recently received substantial support from the Freelands Foundation to expand and deliver The Syllabus over the next decade.
About Syllabus
Syllabus is an alternative and independent learning program supporting ten artists across ten months. Led by Wysing Arts Centre, in collaboration with partners Eastside Projects, Spike Island, and Studio Voltaire, Syllabus aims to provide professional development, diversify the arts sector, build a peer network for artists, and promote equality and diversity in arts organizations.
In 2021, the Freelands Foundation granted £500,000 to support Syllabus as part of its commitment to addressing racial inequality in the arts. This landmark grant secures Syllabus’s future for the next decade.
Syllabus is dedicated to supporting artists underrepresented in the visual arts, including those with Global Ethnic Majority Heritage, socio-economic barriers, LGBTQ+ identity, disabilities, and more. The program consists of intensive gatherings, online workshops, mentoring sessions, and discussions. Syllabus VII is scheduled for June 2024 to March 2025.
The Role: Overview
The Syllabus Coordinator plays a crucial role in coordinating the program, mentoring artists, and providing pastoral care. This position is based at Wysing Arts Centre with national travel required for Syllabus gatherings.
Our commitment to equity means we welcome applications from all backgrounds, and we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria.
Job Description
Position: Syllabus Coordinator
Hours: Initially 15 hours/week for the first 6 months, then 22.5 hours/week thereafter, with additional evening and weekend work during Syllabus gatherings.
Working Location: Wysing Arts Centre, Fox Road, Bourn, CB23 2TX, with remote work options.
Salary: £28,000 pro rata
Contract: Ten years, subject to review in the first three months
Reporting to: Senior Programme Curator
Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the Syllabus Programme, including recruitment, marketing, planning, delivery, and evaluation.
- Plan the first gathering at Wysing with the annual Artist Advisor and facilitate planning sessions with artists and Syllabus Partners.
- Provide mentoring sessions to participating artists, offering feedback and guidance.
- Offer care and support to artists, serving as their point of contact and shaping internal processes.
- Support accessibility across Wysing’s work.
- Maintain high standards of professionalism, adhering to Wysing’s policies.
Detailed Responsibilities:
Recruitment:
- Coordinate transparent recruitment processes, including open calls and interviews.
- Host online Q&A sessions and provide application guidance.
- Offer constructive feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Marketing/Digital:
- Collaborate with Digital Producer and Syllabus Partners to promote Syllabus’s open call.
- Share Syllabus program activities through various digital channels.
Programme Planning and Delivery:
- Collaborate with the Artist Advisor to plan the first Syllabus gathering and support program planning.
- Maintain excellent communication and ensure projects run on time and within budget.
- Contribute ideas to keep Syllabus responsive and relevant.
- Manage invoicing and budget spreadsheets accurately.
Evaluation:
- Gather key data and feedback from artists, Artist Advisors, and Syllabus Partners.
- Track Syllabus alumni progress and facilitate regular feedback sessions.
Mentoring:
- Serve as a point of contact for Syllabus artists.
- Offer mentoring sessions for works in progress and career navigation.
General:
- Promote accessibility.
- Uphold high professional standards.
- Adhere to Wysing’s policies, including the Code of Conduct, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, and Health and Safety Policy.
- Contribute to reducing Wysing’s environmental footprint.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience working with artists.
- Proficiency in facilitating group activities.
- In-depth knowledge of the UK visual arts scene.
- Strong communication, organizational, and administrative skills.
- Budget management experience.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Familiarity with digital media platforms.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Desirable:
- Experience building relationships with collaborators and partners.
- Experience in artist development programming.
- Interest in co-production and artist-centered methodologies.
Wysing’s Vision, Mission, Values, and Aims
Vision: To cultivate the freewheeling imagination.
Mission: Wysing believes in the transformative social and personal benefits of art and creativity, advocating for equal access to the time and space needed for creativity. We support artists, value their contribution, and create conditions for their sustainable careers.
Values and Aims:
- Collaborative: Work together to build resources.
- Generous: Model change, sharing resources equitably.
- Agile: Create and seize opportunity.
- Attentive: Listen to others and respond effectively.
- Transparent: Build trust, and be open about how we work.
- Ethical: Avoid causing harm to people and the planet.
Organisation Chart
Senior Programme Curator | | Syllabus Coordinator | | Syllabus Artists | | Syllabus Partners (Eastside Projects, Spike Island, Studio Voltaire)
Timeline
- 2 October: Deadline for Application
- 2 November: Interviews
- January 2024 to March 2024: Syllabus Artist Recruitment
- March–May 2024: Syllabus VII Planning
- Early June 2024: Syllabus VII Gathering 1 (Wysing)
- Late June 2024: Syllabus VII Gathering 2 (Online)
- End July 2024: Syllabus VII Gathering 3 (Offline)
- November 2024: Syllabus VII Gathering 4 (Offline)
- January 2025: Syllabus VII Gathering 5 (Offline)
- Recruitment for Syllabus VIII begins (Permanent Partners)
- March 2025: Syllabus VII Gathering 6 (Wysing)
- April 2025: Evaluation and Reflection
Recruitment Process
- Deadline: 12 midnight on Monday 2 October 2023
- Application: Via Submittable (text, audio, or video)
- Interviews: Expected on Thursday 2 November
- Informal Conversation: Contact john.bloomfield@wysingartscentre.org
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria. We are committed to addressing underrepresentation in the arts sector.
Syllabus Partners
Eastside Projects: An artist-run organization in Birmingham, fostering an evolving set of possible realities.
Spike Island: A public space in Bristol connecting people with contemporary art, supporting artists, and building communities.
Studio Voltaire: A not-for-profit arts and education organization in London, championing emerging and underrepresented artists.
