WHEAL MARTYN TRUST

March 2018

JOB DESCRIPTION

1.1JOB TITLE:Exhibition and Engagement Officer

1.2LOCATION:Wheal Martyn, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 8XG

1.3SALARY:£21,000 - £24,000 per annum

1.4FIXED TERM: April 2018 – March 2022

1.5HOURS:37 hours per week(to include weekends, evenings and bank holidays as required)

1.6RESPONSIBLE TO:Museum Manager

  1. ROLE CONTEXT

This post is funded with support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England to deliver aspects of Wheal Martyn’s Clay Works! project and National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) programme, both of which run from April 2018 to March 2022.

Clay Works! project

The Clay Works! project includes: preservation works to two historic buildings (part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Wheal Martyn); the creation of a gallery for temporary exhibitions; creation of an activity/learning space including two outdoor classroom areas; installation of new interpretation; aheritage building skills training programme and a programme of engagement activity and temporary exhibitions within the new facilities.

NPO programme

Wheal Martyn is a partner of an NPO programme being delivered by Cornwall Museums Partnership which aims to increase the quality of programming and engage increasingly diverse audiences with museums in Cornwall. At Wheal Martyn this includes activity targeted at engaging more children and young people, people with disabilities and people from within our community, including those from socio-economically deprived backgrounds. The programme supports the development of temporary exhibitions, digital engagement and innovative ways to engage more people with our collections and heritage through new volunteer programmes and inclusive activities.

  1. OVERALL PURPOSE
  2. To engage a broader and more diverse audience of visitors and people from within the local community with Wheal Martyn and the heritage of Cornwall’s china clay industry, providing them with inspiring and enjoyable experiences which will in turn lead to increased visitor numbers, more repeat visits and extend participation in the shoulder season. To be achieved through the delivery of key aspects of the Clay Works! project and NPO programme in an integrated way including the development of regular temporary exhibitions, informal learning and community engagement programmes and new volunteer initiatives.
  1. KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  2. Establish and deliver a varied programme of temporary exhibitions (planned for three per year) working with Wheal Martyn’s curator, other staff, volunteers, Citizen Curators and the China Clay History Society. Exhibitions should be designed to attract new audiences to Wheal Martyn and should include some co-curated with the local community

4.2Work with the Clay Works! Project Manager to agree the fit-out of the new learning / activity spaceand the gallery for temporary exhibitions

4.3Consult with the Wheal Martyn Education Officer and Museum Manager to develop, trial and evolve the informal learning and community engagement programme in advance of the Clay Works! facilities being opened in August 2019.

4.4Lead on key aspects of the Clay Works! Activity Plan including informal learning and community engagement to maximise local community involvement and grow participation of children, young people and families. Establishing and delivering programmes of activity which encourage regular repeat visits and attract broader audiences. The programme should be linked where appropriate to the temporary exhibition programme.

4.5Take the lead on the Citizen Curators programme at Wheal Martyn, working closely with Cornwall Museums Partnership who will be developing the wider programme across seven museums in Cornwall. This will programme will engage a more diverse range of volunteers from the local community with collections and the development, research and promotion of exhibitions at Wheal Martyn

4.6Working with the Education Officer develop Young Curators and Young Volunteer programmes and promote and facilitate work experience placements

4.7Work with external organisations and partners to develop and deliver activities targeted at a diverse range of groups including disadvantaged and community groups

4.8Recruit, manage and retain volunteers to support informal learning and engagement activities

4.9Support Citizen Curators to make research, exhibition content and exhibition previews available online.

4.10Trial innovative ways to engage new audiences including the use of live streaming and take a proactive approach to building links with new audiences through outreach

4.11Deliver exhibitions and activity programme to a high standard, on time and on budget

4.12Monitor project outputs and outcomes and report to the Clay Works! Steering Group

4.13Write relevant progress reports for funders, monitoring and evaluation purposes

4.14Manage the activity budget allocated for Clay Works!

4.15Take responsibility for health and safety of self, colleagues, customers and contractors

4.16Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Trust

  1. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE

5.1Proven experience working in the heritage sector including developing and organising temporary exhibitions

5.2Proven experience of effective community engagement within the museums or wider heritage sector including working with a broad audience

5.3Experience of developing and delivering indoor and outdoor learning and engagement activities for people with a wide range of ages, abilities and backgrounds

5.4Experience of establishing positive and productive working relationships with a broad range of community groups and organisations

5.5Experience of recruiting, supporting and developing volunteers

5.6Experience of developing and running public events

CAPABILITIES

5.7Able to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings

5.8Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships with people of all ages, abilitiesand backgrounds

5.9Capable of developing and delivering imaginative engagement activities

5.10Ability to liaise with other heritage organisationswith regards to temporary exhibitions

5.11Computer literate including the use of social media as a communication tool

5.12Good geographical knowledge of Cornwall and relevant historical, archaeological and environmental understanding

5.13A network of contacts with local groups, community groups, educational and heritage organisations

5.14Appreciation of industrial heritage

5.15Able to prioritise workloads and excellent time management skills

5.16Team player but capable of working under own initiative

QUALIFICATIONS

5.17Educated to degree level in a relevant subject

5.18Museum studies recognised qualification desirable

Closing Date:16 April 2018

Interviews: 18 April 2018