Community arts worker : Employers and vacancy sources

Community arts continues to be seen as a tool for addressing a wide range of agendas including regeneration, social inclusion and community cohesion, with local government as a prominent employer. Many councils employ a community arts officer or even small teams dedicated to this agenda.

Many mainstream organisations also have an outreach remit and are committed to making their art forms and venues more accessible. These include:

• theatres;
• galleries;
• orchestras;
• museums;
• larger independent cinemas.

They often employ education and community officers, who work directly with community groups, introducing them to their respective art forms through workshops, events and other activities.

New initiatives and projects have been launched with the approach of the 2012 Olympics. These include the Cultural Olympiad - London 2012  and Unlimited , the UK’s largest disability arts programme. A significant amount of funding has also been channelled through Creativity Culture & Education  for cultural programmes with young people in England.

Community arts workers are also employed by specific community arts support agencies where they offer advice and support to others.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Guardian Jobs  (Mondays)
• a-n Magazine 
• Voluntary Arts Network  - has an extensive directory of community arts organisations.
• artsjobsonline  
• ArtsJobs  - includes internships/voluntary placements.
• ArtsHub  - includes internships/voluntary placements.
• Mailout  - useful links section.
• Local Government Jobs  
• Arts Culture Media Jobs  
• Arts Professional  - includes internships/voluntary placements .
• The Stage  
• Foundation for Community Dance  
• Museum Jobs    
• Museums Galleries Scotland    
• Group for Education in Museums (GEM)    
• Independent Cinema Office   
• Local and regional press.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.