Call for freelance artists and creative practitioners
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) are recruiting freelance artists and creative practitioners from a range of backgrounds for our hospital Arts Programme. We are looking for innovative artists/creatives whose practice could link with medical departments or procedures, helping to make a child’s stay in hospital less daunting.
At ECHC, we believe that nothing should get in the way of being a child. Through our Arts Programme, we offer patients the opportunity to engage in fun, arts activities as a creative outlet, a healing tool and a welcome distraction from what can be a very challenging environment.
The Arts Programme provides families with an opportunity to come together and share a bit of normality, which in turn aids a faster recovery. With this in mind, ECHC has committed to fund an innovative Arts Programme involving long and short term arts residencies, participatory activities, live performances and art commissions. ECHC is committed to providing the best arts practice for children and young people staying in hospital.
Strategic Outcomes
- Children and young people’s recovery is improved by participating and experiencing arts activities.
- Children and young people are less scared of hospital and have a positive experience.
- Children and young people make friends and are less isolated by having a shared experience.
- Children and young people’s families are more confident to use arts outside the hospital.
Our current activities programme includes visual arts, performance, music, storytelling and technology.
Successful applicants may undertake a range of responsibilities including:
- Leading weekly or one off workshops
- Creating physical or digital resources
- Undertaking a creative residency position within a department
Successful candidates will be required to:
- Complete an enhanced PVG check
- Undertake a hospital induction
- Wear an ID badge and ECHC T-shirt
Main duties may include:
- Planning and leading participatory workshops in inpatient and outpatient wards.
- Linking with hospital staff and departments
- Collecting feedback during sessions
- Participating in planning and evaluation meetings
- Acting as a representative of ECHC whilst at the hospital
Person specification
Essential:
- At least three years of experience of working in participatory contexts
- Evidence of a dynamic and inclusive practice
- The ability to support vulnerable young people and children
- The ability to work independently in a busy environment
- Empathetic and sensitive to the hospital environment but with the ability to maintain professional boundaries and adhere to patient confidentiality requirements
- The ability to be flexible and reactive to situations
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to people from different backgrounds
Desirable:
- Experience of working in healthcare or education settings
- Experience of working with children and young people in 1:1 settings or small groups
- Experience of working with other artists using a range of art forms
- Experience of working with a range of organisations and stakeholders
To apply:
Please send a covering letter of one A4 page outlining how you meet the person specification and why you are interested in working with ECHC Arts Programme, an up-to-date C.V. and three to six examples of your work.
Closing date: 16 February 2018
Shortlist confirmed: 23 February 2018
Interviews: Week commencing 5 March 2018
Fees are paid at: £40 per hour