Arts administrator
An arts administrator manages activities and services which support the arts sector, involving projects and initiatives provided by:
An administrator in a small organisation may perform a variety of functions ranging from marketing and booking performers to finance and insurance matters. In larger organisations they may specialise in specific administrative areas such as programming, front-of-house management, public relations, marketing, education and sponsorship.
Experienced arts administrators may provide consultative support at managerial levels.
Arts administrator roles vary a great deal between organisations but typical work activities may include:
At a more senior level, there may be some involvement in strategic planning and management decisions.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, certain subjects may prove to be an advantage for some jobs. The following are particularly relevant, either at degree or HND level:
Entry without a degree or HND is possible via a secretarial or support/assistant role, or after gaining administrative experience at a similar level in another field.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification, such as arts or cultural administration/management, is not essential but might be useful. It may be difficult, however, to gain financial support for one of these courses and some students opt to undertake their studies on a part-time basis over two years, so that they may work at the same time.
Occasionally, graduates are able to secure funds from Research Councils UK . Some courses integrate placements in arts organisations and enable students to build their contacts and relevant experience, while the more competitive courses usually require candidates to have experience already.
Jobs in the arts are highly competitive. Gaining substantial experience in administration, management and the arts is much more likely to be of benefit than a specific academic subject of study.
Administrative skills alone are not usually enough and should be enhanced with some more specific experience in arts projects and events, perhaps while at university (e.g. promoting a drama society; writing productions reviews; staging an art exhibition; gaining sponsorship for or organising events).
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
For a career in arts administration there is no substitute for relevant experience. Therefore try to become involved in as many areas as possible; anything from volunteering on a student drama production to carrying out temporary work in an arts festival will be relevant. In whatever role you secure, find out who the key arts workers are in that area as any contacts you build up may be useful later on.
Weekly or monthly arts magazines and websites such as a-n: The Artists Information Company and British Arts Festivals Association are a valuable source of information for upcoming events that you may wish to become involved with.
Consider taking a temporary job as your first step into an arts administration career. Typical temporary roles may be on a lottery-funded project or at an arts festival. This may provide a platform from which you can demonstrate your creative and administrative ability and allow you to network with other arts administrators.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training and continuing professional development (CPD) is vital for those who work in such diverse and often project-based roles. In order to maintain sector knowledge and support career development opportunities, arts administrators must undertake ongoing training in a wide variety of areas such as law, marketing, HR, and accountancy.
Creative and Cultural Skills , the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music, Performing, Literary and Visual Arts, coordinates and promotes training and skills development and is currently launching a new framework to support CPD within the sector.
Knowledge Services for Arts Management provides a directory of short courses and Arts Marketing Association (AMA) and Independent Theatre Council both run a range of workshops, courses and seminars throughout the year, specifically designed for personal and professional development. Arts administrators may also wish to undertake training provided by the Institute of Professional Administrators (IPA) .
A recent survey from Creative and Cultural Skills indicates that the industry is growing despite the economic downturn, mainly due to the steady flow of investment from the government and other sources, such as the lottery fund.
For instance, between 2008 and 2011 the Arts Council England will invest £1.3million into nearly 900 different arts organisations across the country. Creative Scotland , Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council of Northern Ireland will have similar spending commitments.
Jobs and promotion within arts administration are, therefore, highly sought after and competition is strong. Progression may include becoming a general manager, director or chief executive of an arts company or local authority arts division.
Working freelance for lottery-funded projects or resident companies is another option, while some arts administrators may promote themselves as consultants, undertaking research and feasibility studies and contributing to the development of arts policies for a range of establishments. Increasingly, organisations are partnering with European arts companies to stage joint projects to bring European artists to Britain. Administrators who work for such employers with an international reputation may develop an overseas career.
Mobility is essential for arts administrators to move from post to post and gain experience, particularly in the search for senior or promotional posts. Some experienced administrators make the transition from arts sector administration into public, private or voluntary sector posts where there may be greater career development and promotion opportunities. Administrators may also find opportunities for career development within the media industry.
Arts administrators may be employed in any organisation with responsibility for organising, planning and delivering artistic or cultural events. There are many government-funded initiatives and local partnerships which employ administrators on various short and longer-term contracts.
Many of these projects focus on development of arts activity in both urban and rural communities with a view to stimulating local economic development, addressing social inclusion and ultimately building stronger communities. These UK-wide projects are proving to be major sources of arts administration jobs. There are also vacancies within theatres, galleries, local authority venues and museums, photography and media centres, touring companies and concert venues.
Arts Council England , Creative Scotland , Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council of Northern Ireland are key employers, although trainee arts administrator posts are rarely offered by the Arts Councils. Many local authorities employ arts administrators, which are usually in leisure and recreation or planning and development departments. Other small bodies involved in grant-aiding, such as the British Film Institute (BFI) and the Crafts Council employ staff in and around London but may be unlikely to recruit inexperienced people as trainee arts administrators.
The British Performing Arts Yearbook and the Museums and Galleries Yearbook are useful directories.
Regional arts magazines and websites may also list vacancies; details can be gained from the various arts councils. The National Campaign for the Arts and Theatrical Management Association (TMA) may also prove to be useful.
Local recruitment agencies may sometimes handle temporary vacancies. Some opportunities are not formally advertised, so establishing contacts is a crucial part of developing your career as they may help to uncover any 'hidden' opportunities.
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