Education Coordinator
Reporting to: Director
Contract length: Role to commence February 2016 for a 12 month period. A 3 month probation
period will be in place. The position is offered on a freelance basis.
Hours: 2 days per week (a proportion of hours must cover between Wednesday - Friday, otherwise
hours can be flexible to suit work requirements in agreement with the Director). Occasional
weekend and evening work.
Salary: £18,500 pro rata (paid monthly). Training opportunities provided (in agreement with
Director).
Location: The post will be based at BACKLIT Gallery, First Floor, Alfred House, Ashley Street,
Nottingham, NG3 1JG.
Background
Backlit is an artist led studio and gallery space that supports and develops emerging artists; we
are driven to support, sustain and grow the visual arts ecology across Nottingham. The Backlit
team consists of; Director, Deputy Director, Studio Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Education
Coordinator and Administrative Coordinator. Backlit currently delivers an exciting and
ambitious programme of exhibitions and events; previous works presented include Robert
Wilson, NTU graduates, Backlit Studio Artists, Geoff Diego Litherland, Matt Collishaw, Gillian
Wearing and Bloomberg New Contemporaries. The recent ‘Morley Threads’ project focused on
local history in particular Samuel Morley, a Nottingham born Victorian philanthropist, social
reformer and MP. ‘Morley Threads’ consisted of a series of events, workshops, digital archive
and exhibition working closely with local historians, local residents, community groups and exfactory workers.
www.backlit.org.uk
Job Specification
Education Coordinator role
The Education Coordinator will lead on the design to implement a dynamic bespoke sustainable
education and learning development framework; to include working with the Marketing Coordinator
to research and undertake audience mapping. In particular Backlit are keen to develop audiences
with families, schools, younger people and local communities. The framework will be influenced and
informed by research to include; audience mapping, local/ national/ international led education and
arts initiatives, local community inspired themes, political issues, studio artists resource and
professional development opportunities (working with the Studio Manager who is lead on this) and
other key contributors. Backlit are keen to develop a programme of educational activity that
informs the wider programme. The Administrative Coordinator will support this role if and when
required.
Main responsibilities
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To develop an education and learning framework for Backlit; to include mapping audiences
and effective ways to collate data. Framework deliverables and deadlines will be assigned to
the Education Coordinator and other relevant staff in agreement with the Director
Work closely with the Director and the team to implement the framework
To work closely with the Studio Manager who is leading on Artist Professional Development;
to review learning opportunities to professionally develop in house artistic practice
Research ways to best engage audiences with Backlit (i.e. practically, creatively, dialogue)
and how this informs the wider programme.
To research and map other national sector led arts education initiatives which are actively
exploring ways to develop skills in communities and use creativity to increase engagement in
the arts
Develop relationships and partnerships with key identified audiences
As part of the legacy for the Samuel Morley project; liaise with the Community Ambassadors
and connect with the local groups and residents.
Working with the Deputy Director to research fundraising opportunities within the arts
education field
Other duties as required and in agreement with the Director
Opportunities/ Benefits
 Training can be offered if beneficial to role
 Backlit is a small friendly team, you will be responsible for a key area in Backlits vision to
expand and engage with wider audiences.
Person Specification:
Experience:
 A proven track record of developing and managing participatory arts activity across a wide
range of audiences (i.e. community groups, ages and backgrounds)
 Working with artist educators and volunteers
 Strong organisational and administrative skills
Skills and knowledge
 Excellent communication skills
 Ability to multi task
 Capable of working independently and as part of a small team
 Knowledge of Nottingham and the local art scene
Essential
 An interest in contemporary arts practice/ Knowledge of arts education/ socially engaged
practice
 Documentation of activity
 Knowledge of health and safety and child protection policy
 Developing networks and building partnerships
 Attention to detail
 Good personable skills, able to work well with people at all levels, ages and backgrounds
 Ability to problem solve
 Ability to work to tight deadlines
 Be excellent at working on own initiative as well as part of a small team
Desirable
 Post Graduate certificate in Education or similar qualification
 Good IT Skills
 Knowledge of national and regional arts education priorities
 Knowledge of funding opportunities
 Willingness and ability to work over some weekends and evenings (for which time off in lieu
is allocated).
How to apply
To apply please email your CV, a supporting statement outlining your suitability to the role (no
longer than A4) and 2 referee contacts (please state if they can be contacted in advance of a
potential interview) to suzannebacklit@gmail.com. Deadline for applications is Friday 8th January
2016. Interviews will take place at Backlit on Thursday 21st January 2016 (please ensure your
available this day).