RESIDENT ARTIST ROLE DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION

Role Title / Resident Artist
Location / Stepney City Farm, Stepney Way, London, E1 3DG
Salary / none
Benefits / A free studio space for up to 1 year, a beautiful and friendly place to work
Hours / To be proposed
Duration / One year (may be extended)
Responsible to / Farm Director

ROLE OVERVIEW

Stepney City Farm has a purpose-built Rural Arts Centre that was completed in September 2012. It comprises three private studios which we offer to craftspeople for free, in return for delivering workshops to local people. Two studios are already occupied by a blacksmith and a Ceramicist. Ideally we seek a third craft discipline that will complement but not duplicate the existing crafts.

ABOUT STEPNEY CITY FARM

Stepney City Farm is a four-acre urban farm based in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a registered charity and exists to provide educational opportunities for the local community and improve well-being. Projects include community growing, permaculture, working with animals, volunteering and rural crafts. Activities are provided for all ages. There are many types of animals on the farm, including donkeys, goats, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and ducks. It is a wonderful community resource, providing opportunities for city dwellers to experience a taste of rural life close to home. We offer a friendly and supportive working environment and a fun place to work in a unique setting.

As well as hosting three resident artists, or crafts people, there are also other crafts people who offer occasional workshops or are involved with the Farm.

STUDIO

The studio is in a purpose-built Rural Arts Centre on the Farm, the middle studio in the picture.

The studio is approx 45 Square metres with wooden double doors to the front and toughened glass doors just behind to allow extra light in while working, and for people to see in. There are eight double electricity sockets, one phase three socket, skylights, double windows, heat detectors and gas heating (three radiators). The Farm's toilets and a shower are in the same building.

Utilities bills are paid by Stepney City Farm as is public liability insurance. but insurance of your own possessions would be your responsibility.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The studios are provided at a pepper-corn rent (i.e. free) but carry certain obligations in lieu of rent.

In return for sole occupancy of the studio, a resident artist is required to:

  • Deliver educational classes of their own devising to local people. These may be free or not, could be funded through fees charged to participants, or be provided free of charge by the artist. The obligation is to provide classes; the mechanism is open to negotiation. A minimum of 20 classes open to the public of at least an hour each must be delivered per year (or pro rata if the residency is less than a year), with a minimum average of 5 students per class, and with the majority of participants from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
  • Provide at least two hours per week of open studio time where volunteers at the farm or local people are able to watch the artist at work, and try out the craft under the supervision of the artist. These must be regular and publicised via a poster on the door of the studio
  • The wooden doors to the studios should be kept open as much as possible while the artist(s) are working during Farm opening hours of Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm so that visitors can see the artist(s) at work
  • Attendance of monthly Rural Arts Centre committee meetings (usually first Wednesday of each month at 2pm)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  • A Rural Artist or Craftsperson with at least five years' professional experience in their craft
  • Proven experience in teaching the craft to adults and children
  • Experience in working with the public and people of all ages and backgrounds
  • Personable with the ability to get on with all kinds of people and a demonstrated ability to enthuse people
  • Willing to take health and safety responsibility for activities conducted by you at the Farm
  • Experience in writing risk assessments for craft activities
  • A commitment to environmental sustainability