Community Arts Worker
What is the work like?
Community arts workers help local communities to plan, organise and take part in arts activities such as drama, dance, mural painting, photography, creative writing and film and video production.
As a community arts worker you would mainly work in areas of social, cultural or environmental deprivation in order to improve local quality of life. This will often involve working with other organisations such as health, youth and education services.
Your tasks could include:
- supporting existing groups and developing new groups and activities
- working with local community groups to identify local needs and concerns
- creating art work for or with the community
- helping community members to develop their own ideas
- leading meetings and training activities
- advising on grants, sponsorship and other sources of funding
- writing funding bids and proposals, managing budgets and doing general administration
- encouraging interest and support from possible funders, arts workers and community members
- publicising activities through the press, local radio, leaflets and posters
- managing projects, making sure they stay on track and assessing how successful they have been.
Depending on the job, you may focus on practical creative work and support of projects, or on administration and management.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would usually need to be qualified and experienced in a specialist area of the arts such as visual arts, music, dance, drama, music or creative writing.
To find work, the most important thing is relevant experience. Voluntary work is a good way of both getting experience and making contacts. You can find out about local community arts projects that you might be able to get involved in from:
- Voluntary Arts website
- the arts officer (or similar job title) at your local council
- the Arts Councils.
You could also look in local telephone directories or do an internet search for local community arts organisations.
You may find a community arts qualification useful, although they are not essential for getting work.
BTEC HNDs, foundation degrees or degree courses in community arts, offered by a few universities, combine the study of an art form such as fine art or dance with the theory and principles of community arts. To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
If you already have a qualification in an arts subject, you could do a postgraduate course in community arts. To search for postgraduate courses see Hobsons Postgrad.
Experience is as important for getting onto a community arts course as it is for paid work.
You will need to have CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance to work with young people and other vulnerable groups.
What further training and development can I do?
As a community arts worker, you can do training to update and develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- your arts specialism
- management
- marketing and PR
- project management
- securing funding
- new legislation
- health and safety
- child protection.
Visit the Voluntary Arts Network and the Foundation for Community Dance websites for details of relevant courses. You may also be able to do training run by local councils and local community arts organisations.
Where can I go for more information?
11 Southwark StreetLondon
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
31 Rutland Street
Leicester
LE1 1RE
Tel: 0116 253 3453
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries are likely to start at around £16,000 a year.
- More experienced community arts workers could earn around £20,000 to over £25,000.
Contracts are often short-term and/or part-time. Earnings for part-time jobs would be a portion of full-time rates (known as 'pro rata' payment). This means that actual annual income may be less than above.
Freelance workers often charge a daily rate.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours would depend on the needs of the community and the projects you are involved in. You are likely to work at weekends and in the evening.
You could work in a variety of places, such as community centres, libraries, youth centres, schools, prisons and care homes. You may work on some outside events, like carnivals and street theatre.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a good overall knowledge of the arts
- experience in one or more arts areas
- good communication skills
- the ability to organise your time and work to deadlines
- good project and time management skills
- the ability to raise funds and manage budgets
- a proactive and creative approach
- enthusiasm and self-motivation
- the ability to motivate community members and build up their confidence
- patience and tolerance.
What opportunities are there?
You could find opportunities for work with organisations like local authorities, theatres, museums and galleries, and community arts organisations.
You could also do freelance work, running projects or setting up initiatives using funding such as the National Lottery.
In local authorities and other organisations you may be able to progress to a senior position. As a freelance community arts worker, you could move on to larger projects with bigger budgets as you gain experience. You could also set up your own organisation.
You may have the opportunity to work with arts councils or regional development agencies.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading:
The Stage
Mailout
The Guardian
artsjobsonline
Arts Hub
British Council Arts Group
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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