Director of Audiences
Institution: Freelands Foundation
Location: London, United Kingdom
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Salary: £72,545 per annum
Application Deadline: 30 June 2026 (12pm)
Freelands Foundation is seeking a senior leader for the role of Director of Audiences, responsible for ensuring the organisation’s mission to champion art education reaches and meaningfully engages diverse audiences across the cultural, educational, and policy sectors.
The role sits at a key moment in the Foundation’s development, as it prepares for a major building refurbishment to become a dedicated centre for visual art education. Alongside this transformation, the organisation continues to deliver its core programmes, including the £1.5m Freelands Awards and its expanding Freelands Studio Fellowships with UK universities.
About the Role
The Director of Audiences will lead the organisation’s audience strategy, ensuring strong engagement with artists, educators, policy makers, and the wider public. The role combines strategic leadership with programme-facing work, helping shape how Freelands communicates, connects, and builds influence across the sector.
The post-holder will play a central role in developing networks and partnerships that support long-term change in art education policy and practice, while balancing strategic planning with the delivery of ongoing programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of audience engagement strategy across all Freelands Foundation programmes
- Build and sustain relationships with artists, educators, policy makers, and cultural partners
- Oversee communications, marketing, and audience development functions
- Support the visibility and impact of key programmes including Freelands Awards and Studio Fellowships
- Contribute to strategic planning for the Foundation’s future “centre for visual art education”
- Develop networks that support advocacy and policy influence in art education
- Ensure audience insight informs organisational strategy and programme development
Candidate Profile
- Significant senior-level experience in audiences, communications, or marketing within arts, culture, or education sectors
- Strong strategic leadership and organisational development skills
- Experience working across complex stakeholder networks
- Ability to balance long-term strategy with delivery of active programmes
- Strong understanding of audience development and cultural engagement
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Commitment to arts education and its role in wider social and policy change
Additional Information
- Permanent senior leadership position within a growing cultural foundation
- Role will contribute to a major institutional transition into a dedicated education-focused centre
- Works across programmes, grants, fellowships, and public engagement initiatives