198 Contemporary Arts & Learning is seeking a new Artistic Director to provide inspirational leadership, oversee artistic programming, and participate in the management of this unique organization.
Post: Artistic Director
- Reports to: 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Board of Trustees
- Hours of Work: 4 days/30 hours a week, in person
- Salary: £35,000 FTE based on current funding, with potential for increase if additional funding is secured
- Contract Type: Permanent post
- Annual Leave: 20 days per holiday year plus statutory Bank Holidays
- Probationary Period: Six months
- Notice Period: Six months by either party in writing after an initial probationary period of one month by either party
- DBS: An enhanced DBS check will be required
- Pension: 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning operates a pension scheme that meets the government’s requirements
198 Contemporary Arts and Learning is seeking a new Artistic Director who can help shape the organization for the future. The Artistic Director will be responsible for providing creative leadership and shaping the future vision of 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning. They will spearhead the artistic vision for 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, building on its 36-year history of working with Black and artists of color, and engaging with the local community through exhibitions, projects, arts education programs, and partnerships with both national and international artists and organizations.
This is an exciting opportunity for a driven arts professional to assume a leadership role in a prominent arts organization during a period of significant growth and transformation. The Artistic Director will deliver an artistic program that honors the gallery’s legacy while crafting a forward-looking vision. This vision will invite all participants in the gallery’s space and programs to collectively imagine the future of Black and artists of color in the UK and the diaspora. As a visionary leader, the new Artistic Director will create opportunities for 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning to drive positive change through artistic projects that are meaningful and relevant to the organization’s unique positioning, developing impactful engagement and connections between communities and artists.
This role is a Co-Directorship, with the Artistic Director ensuring 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning initiates important debates in the art world for artists of color, while the Executive Director leads the organizational vision for sustaining this important cultural asset for future generations. Collaboration between the Co-Directors is essential, with clear areas of responsibility established to ensure complementary skills, effective management, and collaboration with existing gallery staff. This is an in-person job; the requirement is to work in the office/gallery, not remote working.
The Details
Specific Responsibilities
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- Strategic Management
- Artistic Programme Management
- Fundraising & Finance
- Evaluation & Monitoring
- Arts Education
- Reputation Management & Communications
1. Strategic Management
- Contribute to the artistic vision for the long-term future of the organization
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to prepare and deliver a strategic plan and annual budget for approval by the trustees
- Manage the artistic programme aspects of the Arts Council NPO, including evaluation and reporting
- Report monthly to the board on the visionary direction of the organization and the artistic and arts education programme
- Ensure the organization meets its legal, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities, especially regarding Health & Safety, Safeguarding, and Enhanced DBS checks
2. Artistic Programme Management
- Establish the artistic vision; plan and deliver an innovative annual programme of exhibitions and events
- Produce an annual plan and budget for the artistic programme
- Lead on the curatorial vision in collaboration with curators and artists across all areas of creative work
- Engage gallery staff in contributing to ideas and opportunities, and assist in their professional development and appraisals
- Delegate and oversee gallery staff to deliver the exhibition programme
- Lead the artistic programme both in the gallery and with partners in the artistic and local communities
- Develop relationships with artists, funders, community stakeholders, local arts community, and other contemporary arts organizations
- Stay abreast of trends and events in the art world, representing 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning at openings, events, and exhibitions
3. Fundraising & Finance
- Maintain a proactive fundraising strategy, staying abreast of new funds ensuring that the charity exploits opportunities to pursue new arts funding sources
- Identify funds and write fundraising applications to support new initiatives, both alone and in collaboration with relevant staff
- Maintain spreadsheets for tracking and reporting programme budgets as part of reporting to the Board
- Manage the Friends and Patrons programme, working with gallery staff to monitor and deliver orders; seeking opportunities for new artists’ prints and expanding membership in collaboration with the Executive Director
- Work constructively with the Executive Director to make gallery space available for hire income, with a clear annual plan that identifies specific dates for availability in advance
- Identify opportunities for gallery space hire and oversee those hire arrangements to contribute to earned income
4. Evaluation & Monitoring
- Oversee Arts Council NPO consortium and partner programmes
- Social Impact monitoring and reporting in association with the Executive Director
- Arts Council monitoring and reporting audience figures and breakdowns with the Executive Director
- Write and/or oversee effective evaluation to track outcomes and reports to funders
- Establish mechanisms for listening to the views of beneficiaries on the organization’s performance
5. Arts Education
- Develop and deliver an arts education programme, extending 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning’s value to local schools, youth, and other audiences through exhibition visits and other learning events and opportunities
- Seek opportunities to extend access to the 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning
How to apply
To apply for this post, please send:
- A covering letter of no more than 3 sides of A4 or a video of no more than 5 minutes, explaining what attracts you to this position, and evidence of your ability to meet the job description and person specification.
- Your CV.
- A completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.
If called for Interview:
- Prepare a presentation on your vision for the organization.
- Provide names and contact details for two employment/professional referees.
- Submit an example of a fundraising application & funder report.
Applications should be submitted to nicola@198.org.uk by 10:00am on Thursday, 8 August 2024. Interviews will take place on 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, and 21st August 2024.
198 Contemporary Arts & Learning Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and actively promotes diversity in the staff team. Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
