SALARY A day rate of £220 – £250 is available, depending on experience (Equivalent fee for 210 days is £46,200 – £52,500)
CONTRACT Freelance, 210 days total between 1 September 2024 – 31 October 2025.
DEADLINE 28th July 2024, 11.59 pm
Description The successful candidate will manage, coordinate, and advise on all technical, production, and health and safety aspects of the exhibition program, including the fabrication of new artworks, exhibitions, and events.
Reports to: Director of Programme & Partnerships
Responsible for: Select External Contractors
MAIN DUTIES
Exhibition Planning / Artwork Production
- Manage Liverpool Biennial’s 2025 festival program production, including new commissions, loans, live works, and public program events.
- Support the Programme Manager and Assistant Curators in fabricating new works, liaising with artists to ensure delivery within time and budget, prioritizing sustainability and accessibility.
- Procure, contract, and manage suppliers and contractors like art handlers, technicians, fabricators, structural engineers, and AV equipment suppliers.
- Support the Guest Curator and Program Team in artwork placement and exhibition build, ensuring installation feasibility, health and safety, and accessibility requirements.
- Coordinate with venues for exhibition build and installation/deinstallation plans, ensuring lighting, power, fire safety, and artwork safety.
- Obtain all necessary licenses for installation/deinstallation, including planning permissions, highway occupation, road closure/traffic management, and equipment usage.
- Draft and distribute risk assessments, method statements, and other health and safety documents.
- Manage production and technical budgets, negotiating costs with contractors and suppliers, and supporting the Programme Manager and artists with project costing.
- Assist the Programme Team with loan and registration of borrowed artworks, ensuring agreed exhibition conditions are upheld.
- Coordinate international shipping of artworks, including commissioning crating or packing of works and ensuring fabrication deadlines are met.
- Work closely with the Program Manager, Assistant Curators, and the wider Liverpool Biennial team to provide technical or production-related support.
Exhibition Installation / Deinstallation
- Coordinate logistics for installation and deinstallation, construction, and AV requirements for all exhibitions, supervising external contractors when necessary.
- Lead on production and technical aspects of live or hybrid event delivery, including performance works and public programs.
- Devise installation and event setup schedules, briefing and equipping staff and contractors for delivery.
- Support art handlers and technicians during exhibition and event installation and deinstallation, including briefing sessions, unpacking/repacking artworks, and handling heavy or dangerous works.
- Troubleshoot technical difficulties, keeping the Director of Programme & Partnerships and the Program Manager informed.
- Ensure health and safety procedures are in place and followed for artwork installation and display, including supervising external contractors.
- Ensure compliance with the Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) and best practice guidance.
- Maintain high production values across all activities.
Maintenance of Exhibitions
- Support the Front of House Manager in training the Front of House team and other staff as required.
- Liaise with artists to agree on maintenance processes, create maintenance instruction documents, and train appropriate staff.
- Maintain the condition of artworks and galleries, ensuring all AV/technical installations and equipment are in proper working order.
- Assist the Program Manager in drafting and updating risk assessments for public exhibition of artworks.
General / Administrative
- Liaise with artist representatives, arts institutions, and funders as required.
- Ensure a smooth flow of information between all Biennial departments.
- Convene, attend, and record meetings as needed.
- Organize and attend site visits and research trips.
- Process exhibition-related invoices as required.
- Draft and update project schedules and planning documents to ensure realistic deadlines and timely project delivery.
- Attend training and professional development opportunities as required.
- Adhere to Liverpool Biennial’s policies on Equality and Diversity, Code of Conduct, Sustainability, and other policies, working occasionally evenings and weekends as necessary.
- Perform any other duties as allocated, commensurate with the nature and responsibility level of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
- Minimum 4 years in arts production
- Demonstrable project and production management experience
- Budget management experience
- Ability to prioritize workload and meet tight deadlines
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
- Knowledge of legal and best practice health and safety requirements for arts venues and off-site projects
- Art handling and condition checking experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work well within a team, with diverse artists, contractors, and individuals
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability
Desirable:
- Experience in international environments
- Experience with multi-disciplinary projects, including public realm installations and live performances
- Experience with hybrid or digital projects
- Experience in non-gallery settings
- Knowledge of Liverpool City Region and Liverpool Biennial
- Proficiency in design or editing software (e.g., SketchUp, Audacity, Final Cut Pro)
- Full UK Driving License
Photo credit: Liverpool Biennale
