Artistic Consultant

Thank you for your interest in the Artistic Consultant post at the Lichfield Garrick.

Please find a job description and some background information enclosed.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and an expression of interest statement explain the following:-

Your artistic vision for the Lichfield Garrick Theatre and how would you deliver it?

Please use a maximum of 1000 words.

and send it to:

Liz Porrett, General Manager,

Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Castle Dyke, Lichfield WS13 6HR

Or email

Deadline for applications is 5pm on 19th February 2018

Interviews will be during the week commencing5th March 2018

Should you wish to have a confidential conversation about the role, please ring 01543 412110 and ask for Karen Foster.

We look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in Lichfield Garrick.

Background information

Lichfield Garrick is a producing house, a receiving house, a cultural hub at the heart of the city and district of Lichfield and has a thriving community and outreach programme. As a modern, purpose built theatre in Lichfield, the Lichfield Garrick has an enviable programme of performances including drama, musicals, comedy, classical music, film, dance and local theatre. Last year we were proud to produce our second community musical, The Dreaming, and have had an amazingly successful production of Aladdin for pantomime, both directed by Tim Ford, our previous Artistic Director.

The main auditorium seats around 550 people, with no restricted viewing, and allocated wheelchair spaces. The Studio is more flexible, offering an intimate space that can be arranged in a number of different layouts and seating up to 150 guests.

With a commitment to supporting the local community and the people within it, the Lichfield Garrick runs a number of programs designed to offer opportunities, networking and placements in a professional environment. These include the Lichfield Garrick Young Rep, Community Choir and outreach work with schools and groups around the district led by our Community and Outreach Manager. We have a community stage to encourage developing artists to perform in the theatre and hire our premises for outside activities.

In the last couple of years, our programme has attracted new and returning audiences into the theatre, whilst our Green Room café is building on its current clientele to welcome more and more people into the theatre during the day. Our aim is to continue producing in-house shows, whilst bringing high quality received work to Lichfield and also to build up the community and outreach activities we offer both in-house and in the satellite towns and villages around the theatre.

The Lichfield Garrick Theatre is run as a charitable trust with a grant from Lichfield District Council and project funding from ACE and local charitable trusts. These are challenging times for the theatre; our local authority grant has diminished and we have to ensure that the theatre and its performances are both financially sustainable and the artistic programme is of a high standard and varied. We aim to build on our community and education work, to diversify our income streams and to maximise revenue from shows. We remain committed to producing shows in house, but recognise that this must be in line with funding for new productions. We have ambitions to take our productions on tour, but again, recognise that this has to work financially and logistically.

Charitable objectives:

The advancement of the arts for the benefit of the public, in particular through the operation of a theatre in Lichfield, and the advancement of education in relation to the arts for the benefit of the public.

Job description

Role

  • To build on the creative and artistic vision of the theatre, offering guidance on received programming, producing and engaging new and diverse works of the highest standard. To share and communicate this to the whole team, involving staff and volunteers where appropriate.
  • In conjunction with the Executive Director, be responsible for ensuring that the artistic programme is financially sustainable.
  • Responsible for ensuring that the theatre achieves its artistic vision.
  • Work closely with senior management team to cultivate and reach new audiences whilst sustaining and building existing patron base.
  • Creatively guide on all in-house produced shows, potentially taking a direct role in some productions.

Responsibilities

Artistic

  • To provide strong, inspirational and high profile local and national leadership to enable the Lichfield Garrick to achieve its artistic and strategic objectives within a changing cultural and commercial environment.
  • To lead and develop artistic policy helping to create a high quality programme, whilst inspiring and creating in-house productions.
  • To ensure that received productions reflect the diverse demographic range of our audiences, that deals are commercially viable and reflect the artistic values and charitable aims of the theatre.
  • To ensure that in-house productions have high artistic standards, high production values are achieved and are budgeted accurately and realistically.
  • To oversee all Lichfield Garrick productions and to ensure that incoming creatives maintain high standards. Opportunities exist for the Artistic Consultant to be part of the creative team in whatever discipline they excel.
  • To initiate and develop artistic collaborations and creative partnerships which will support the business objectives of the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
  • Ensure that artistic objectives meet funders requirements and prepare reports/feedback as required in the terms of the grant.
  • To maintain the highest level of awareness in theatre, arts and music practice. Understanding regional theatre and its national context
  • Develop new artistic projects, relationships and partnerships.
  • In conjunction with the Executive Director, develop relations with the Arts Council England and other funding bodies as required and engage with local stakeholders to build fundraising relationships.
  • Attend programming meetings.
  • Present to the board and the staff of the Lichfield Garrick on a twice yearly basis.

General

  • Any other duties which may reasonably be requested by the Executive Director
  • To maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and dress appropriate to a Senior Management position within a theatre
  • Ensure that the Lichfield Garrick policies and procedures are followed at all times.
  • Extensive knowledge of the theatre sector and network or contacts within the industry.

This job description may be varied and these roles should not be considered exhaustive.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria / Means of Selection

Experience

A passion for understanding of regional theatre and its national context.
Extensive theatre programming experience.
Experience of casting theatrical productions.
Experience of producing and managing professional theatrical productions.
Experience of managing and setting professional production budgets.
Experience of writing Artistic Policies.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Strong negotiation skills and the ability to ensure value for money.
Computer literate (use of Word, Excel, Internet Explorer/Chrome and Outlook to a competent level).
Awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and good practices.
Ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines.
Good teamworking skills. / Experience of directing theatrical productions, or excellent creative skills in the production process.
Knowledge of/or qualifications in legislation relating to performances/safe-guarding/child performers. / Application Form / Interview
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Qualifications
Creative Arts degree or Arts qualification. / Application form /
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Skills and Abilities

Excellent communication and people skills.
Extensive high-level theatre experience.
Knowledge of theatre protocol.
Ability to work well under pressure and remain calm in a busy environment.
Ability to pay close attention to detail.
A high standard of organisation and efficiency.
Ability to work as part of the Lichfield Garrick Senior Management team. / Application form/ interview
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Special Attributes

Able to work flexible hours to fit with the Theatre, which will include evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. / Interview

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary:Commensurate with experience and flexible part time hours to be agreed.

Period of contract: Permanent, including a six-month probationary period.

Reports to:Executive Director.

Notice Period:3 months following a six month probationary period.