Derbyshire Arts Partnership and Arts Graduate Centre Work Placement
Role Description
Creative Derbyshire
Event management and creative industries placement for
programme of workshops and training for artists and arts
businesses
Placement period
90 hours over 15 weeks
2 placements available – one with immediate start and the
second starting in February 2011
Payment
£10 per hour
Hours of work
Average of six hours per week
Key relationships
Head of Arts, Derbyshire County Council; Economic
Development unit, Derbyshire County Council; Derbyshire Arts
Partnership Manager; Creative Derbyshire Co-ordinator; Arts
Development Officers in district and borough councils
Location
Hotdesking is available in Alfreton at the offices of the
Derbyshire Arts Partnership. Some of the role can be carried
out remotely. The placement holder will be expected to attend
meetings in Alfreton and in other parts of Derbyshire.
Nature of the project
The placement offers the opportunity to develop skills in event management and knowledge
about the creative industries sector.
Creative Derbyshire is a two-year programme of business and creative development training
and skill sharing for artists and arts businesses in Derbyshire, funded by Arts Council England
and the Derbyshire Arts Partnership.
The role will work alongside the freelance Creative Derbyshire Co-ordinator and the
Derbyshire Arts Partnership Manager to implement the delivery plan for Creative
Derbyshire, in partnership with the Arts Development Officers in the districts and boroughs.
Aims of the placement
To offer job-related training and linked practical experience in delivering business support to
the creative industries.
 Develop a delivery plan for a series of training events and workshops
 Support the organisation of workshops and training events for creative practitioners
 Develop new contacts for the Derbyshire Arts Partnership with people and
organisations which can deliver the training events
 Research the needs of specified sectors (e.g. arts and health work)
 Carry out evaluation of events and workshops
 Write evaluative reports of events and workshops
Outcomes of the placement
The successful candidate will gain practical and demonstrable experience in the following
key areas:
 Project organisation
 Budget management
 Report writing
 Developing and maintaining strong partnerships
 Event management
 Dissemination of information
 Publicising events
 Partnership working
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop the following key skills and
attributes:
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Organisational and administrative skills
Self confidence and communication skills
Team working
Problem solving
Flexibility
Self motivation
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop the following job-related
knowledge:
 Awareness and understanding of the arts sector
 Understanding of variety of specialist areas, e.g. dance, writing, drama, arts and
health, crafts
 Insight into arts development in local authority contexts
 Understanding of the public sector and partnership development
This project is of interest to you if:
 You are considering a career in business support
 You are considering a career in project management
 You are interested in working as an artist or in the creative industries
 You are interested in developing project management skills in a work-based project
 You are interested in working for a local authority
Background on Derbyshire Arts Partnership
Derbyshire Arts Partnership is the forum for promoting arts initiatives for the whole county,
working in partnership with all the local authorities and other partners. Derbyshire Arts
Partnership seeks to engage participants, practitioners and partners in developing arts
initiatives to ensure a sustainable arts economy in the county, and to use the arts to improve
the quality of life for the people of Derbyshire.
Applications Procedures and Guidelines
The application procedure for this placement is the same as it would be for a professional
post in the sector. We are expecting this to be reflected in your covering letters and CVs.
Applications will only be accepted by email to agc@nottingham.ac.uk and the subject title
should state clearly ‘Creative Derbyshire Placement’. We will not accept late applications or
paper submissions. Only registered postgraduate research students (PhD, MRes and MA by
Research) are eligible to apply.
The deadline for applications is 12noon on 28th January. You must be a registered
postgraduate student in the University of Nottingham’s Arts Faculty to apply and you will
need to seek approval from your supervisor before you can take up the placement.
You must also be available for interview on 1st February 10.30am till 12.30pm.
Interviews will be conducted by a panel of personnel from both the Arts Graduate Centre
and Derbyshire County Council.
You need to make it clear in your application both why you feel you are able to undertake
this placement (what previous work experience you have, what qualities you have
developed during your research), and why you feel it is the next best step for you in terms of
your career. You do NOT need to have sector-specific experience, but you do need to be
able to show how your experience of both research and employment gives you the skills
necessary for the placement, and show a demonstrable interest in the placement and its
focus.
We strongly recommend that you look at the guidelines available for the Centre for Careers
Development on CVs and covering letter which can be found at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/students/resources/applications/cv_and_letters.php
We will be offering one-to-one feedback to all applicants, whether you are shortlisted or not.
Person Specification
Essential
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Computer literate in the following: Word, email, web
Multi-tasker with ability to prioritise
Ability to set out a workplan and deliver to agreed deadlines
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with a range of partners
Flexible and creative approach
Team player
Self-motivator
Enthusiastic approach
Ability to work to deadlines
Willingness to work out of office hours
Willingness to travel across Derbyshire
Desired
An understanding of the arts sector and how creative people work
Proven administrative and organisational skills
Proven project and event management ability