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: - 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 2. Exhibition/ Projects 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 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 4. Administration 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 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. 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