Supporting information
for the post of
EXHIBITIONS CO-ORDINATOR
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the position of Exhibitions Co-Ordinator at The National
Centre for Craft & Design. An application pack, which includes: background information;
job description and person specification is enclosed.
To apply for this position, please send a completed application and equal opportunities
form by email to Bryony Windsor, bryony@nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk, by 12 Noon
on Monday 18 January 2016. After this time applications will not be accepted. Please
ensure that you complete all sections of the application form fully.
Successful short listed applicants will be notified by Friday 22 January 2016 with
interviews held week commencing 25 January 2016. Due to the high number of
applications we receive, it is not possible for us to respond to every application. If you
have not received an invitation to interview by the above date, you should assume that
your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
The National Centre for Craft & Design is committed to a policy of equal opportunities
and we ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and equally. We would be grateful if
you would complete the equal opportunities monitoring form to help us check that we
are carrying out our policy of for all people. The information will be kept confidential and
will have no bearing on your application.
For further information or an informal chat about the post, please contact Bryony
Windsor on 01529 308710.
Yours sincerely,
Bryony Windsor
Head of Exhibitions, The National Centre for Craft & Design
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Situated in a former seed warehouse in the Lincolnshire market town of Sleaford, The
National Centre for Craft & Design boasts two major gallery spaces that show up to 20
exhibitions every year. Our stimulating learning programme inspires people of all ages,
skills and interest levels and our shop is a cultural haven for the latest contemporary
handmade products. We are home to Design Factory and Design-Nation and offer a
unique resource for the support, development and promotion of Britian’s leading
designers and makers. We are also home to artsNK, the country’s largest rural arts
development agency that specialise in visual and performing arts projects.
Our mission: To be a world-class centre dedicated to the celebration, support
and promotion of national and international contemporary craft and design
Our purpose: To stimulate greater understanding of contemporary craft and
design and provide enriching arts and cultural experiences for everyone
through a dynamic programme of high quality exhibitions, participatory
learning, events and retail
Since opening in 2003, the Centre has developed a highly respected world class
exhibitions programme that presents exciting, enlightening and accessible exhibitions
that open up new understandings of contemporary craft and design practice. We seek to
exhibit and promote the most innovative, challenging and accomplished artist’s
practicing within craft and design today and we take pleasure in exhibiting work that
blurs the boundaries between craft, design and fine art. With a particular focus on the
contemporary, The National Centre for Craft & Design showcases the work of
established, significant and international names whilst maintaining a commitment to
emerging talent and the presentation of new movements in craft and design.
The National Centre produces exhibitions that celebrate the very best of international
craft and design and sets them within the context of popular culture to ensure everyone
has the opportunity to experience, understand and be inspired. The concepts and
themes from our exhibitions are used as the starting point for further investigation and
engagement though a high quality public programme of learning and education
opportunities including talks, workshops, curators’ talks, conferences, symposiums,
clubs, groups, activities, lectures, seminars, screenings, professional development,
short-courses, and public demonstration days.
We also operate a successful touring programme which seeks to extend the life of our
exhibitions and allows us to build new partnerships across the UK and overseas.
We are looking for a dynamic individual with a genuine enthusiasm for arts and culture
administration and co-ordination, to join our exhibition team and support all areas of its
increasing activity. The post of Exhibitions Co-ordinator will suit those looking to further
their career in the gallery/museum sector. If you are passionate about craft, design and
the arts, and would relish the opportunity to enrich the service of a cultural venue, we
want to hear from you. Please read the personal specification and full job description
before applying as this will aid your application.
The post is employed through Leisure in the Community Trust who delivers North
Kesteven District Council's cultural services contract.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
EXHIBITION CO-ORDINATOR
Responsible to:
Head of Exhibitions
Responsible for:
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Hours:
39 hours per week (to include a regular Saturday)
Salary:
£16,500 per annum
JOB PURPOSE:
To provide project and administrative support to the Head of Exhibitions, contributing to
the delivery of an ambitious and innovative exhibition programme at The National Centre
for Craft & Design
KEY TASKS:
1.
Supervision
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2.
Exhibition/ Projects
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3.
To be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the exhibitions department
and staff rotas.
To liaise with the Duty Manager to resolve staff absences, deliveries and any
exhibition related issues
To manage the invigilation rota of the gallery spaces and provide front of
house cover for absences, holidays and breaks, including weekends
To provide lunch cover in the galleries for Exhibition & Gallery Assistants
To provide regular support to the exhibitions team on a Saturday
To ensure our galleries are presented to an exceptional quality standard at all
times
To invigilate the Roof Gallery on a Thursday, engaging with visitors and
gathering survey data to feedback to the wider team
To assist with the execution of the exhibition programme, providing support to
the Head of Exhibitions
To research and contribute ideas to exhibitions and the wider programme
To work with exhibiting artists to support the seasonal exhibitions and learning
programme
Under the guidance of the Head of Exhibitions, propose and curate
complementary exhibitions for our smaller exhibition spaces
To facilitate our touring exhibitions at other venues, delivering exhibitions to
the touring venue where appropriate, and install them with support from the
Programmes Assistant, under the supervision of the Head of Exhibitions
To research potential funding streams to support the exhibitions programme
and assist the Head of Exhibitions with applications
Installation facilitation
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To contribute to all elements of exhibition installation including: gallery/plinth
preparation and maintenance; condition checking, wrapping and packing
exhibitions; laying out exhibits and creating displays; lighting and audio visual
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4.
Administration
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5.
To work alongside the Exhibitions and Gallery Assistants to ensure that
equipment, materials and signage are purchased in time for changeover
periods, ensuring items are stocked in an ordered manner
To support the Head of Exhibitions in all changeovers, ensuring that a high
standard of work and presentation is evident in all public exhibition areas
within the building
To liaise with artists and designers including; issuing contracts; developing
supporting material including graphic displays and interpretation; condition
checking and organising transport
To support the Head of Exhibitions with all general departmental
administration including: correspondence; contracts, risk assessments;
monitoring and progress reports; statistical analysis, etc
To support the wider team and contribute to special events
To respond to email enquiries relating to exhibitions on behalf of the Head of
Exhibitions when appropriate
Marketing
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To provide detailed information to assist with the promotion of exhibitions and
contribute to the marketing of our programme
To gather information for the seasonal guide
To contribute to social media
To collate exhibition marketing information
To research, implement and maintain a database of curators and contacts to
market our programme to
To represent The National Centre for Craft & Design, when appropriate, at
events in order to maintain its position within the gallery, museum and
academic arena
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and nature of the
post.
CORE QUALITIES AND BEHAVIOURS:
In addition to the main areas of responsibility, we have identified the core qualities and
behaviours that are required from all our people for successful delivery of our vision,
mission and commercial goals. The qualities and behaviours are summarised below. This
role is at Level 1 of the Behaviour Framework.
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Delivering great service to our visitors
Owning the issue and getting it done
Knowing our organisation
PERSON SPECIFICATION
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Qualifications
 Good standard of education with
GSCE C Grades or equivalent
 Evidence of ongoing professional
and personal development
 Educated to degree level
in Craft, Design, Arts or
Cultural related subjects
Experience
 Significant and relevant experience
of working in an administrative role
in a freelance or institution capacity
 Significant and relevant experience
of co-ordinating projects of
exceptional quality
 A demonstrable track record of
managing conflicting workloads and
meeting deadlines
 Experience of working with a range
of different people including artists,
curators, stakeholders, partners,
and funders, etc.
 Experience of working within a
team and responding to direction
 Experience of working
within the arts, craft or
design field
Knowledge
 Knowledge and understanding of
the contemporary craft and design
sector and the artists working
within it today
 Knowledge of delivering excellent
customer service
 Excellent project management skills
and knowledge of managing
workloads across a team to make
best use of time and resources
Other Skills
 Full clean UK driving license
 A willingness to drive our Touring
Exhibitions to UK venues in a large
vehicle
 A willingness to undertake physical
work essential for the gallery
environment such as painting,
sanding, cleaning, drilling and
lifting.
 Excellent administration,
organisational and interpersonal
skills
 Excellent communication skills both
oral and written
 Ability to prioritise tasks and multitask to meet deadlines
 Excellent time management
 Attention to detail and
understanding of the importance of
 Experience of delivering an
exhibition programme in a
gallery or museum setting
 Demonstrable experience
of bringing your own ideas
to fruition
 Competency in Adobe
Photoshop, InDesign and
MailChimp
following protocols
 Excellent computer literacy skills
 Ability to work as a team player
and also work on own initiative
Core Qualities
(level 1)
Delivering great
service to our
visitors
- Has a passion for excellent
customer service
Owning the issue
and getting it
done
- Delivers on time and to the high
standards required taking pride in
that achievement
Knowing our
organisation
- Has an in depth understanding of
the organisation so that all actions
taken help to achieve the best
results for our visitors and our
business
All candidates will be recruited against the above criteria regardless of their sex, racial,
ethnic or national origin, disability age, sexuality or responsibilities for dependents. We
value a diverse workforce and celebrate our differences.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Employer
Leisure in the Community Trust
Salary
This post attracts a salary of £16,500 per annum
Car Allowance
A mileage allowance of £0.20 for diesel and £0.24 for petrol per mile will be reimbursed
for all travel carried out for work purposes.
Office Hours
39 hours per week
Holidays
The annual holiday entitlement is 20 days per year plus 8 public holidays. This
entitlement attracts an annual increment for the first three years of employment.
Sickness
Sickness absence will not be paid for first 3 days of absence; there on entitlement to sick
pay will be in accordance with the appropriate rate of Statutory Sick Pay.
Pension
The post holder will be invited to join the company’s nominated stakeholder pension
scheme
Benefits
 Discounts in the Café and Shop at The National Centre for Craft & Design.
 Complimentary tickets to attend events and performances, subject to availability.
 Free Gym membership at Leisure in the Community Trust sports sites
Updated December 2015