Job Description: Artes Mundi LiveGuides and LiveGuide Team Leader

About Artes Mundi

Artes Mundi is a landmark programme of international, contemporary, visual art that enriches the cultural and educational life of Wales and its people, develops and inspires new audiences and builds cultural bridges between Wales and the wider world.

Since its foundation in 2002 Artes Mundi has been best known for its international biennial prize and for the exhibition of work by the shortlisted artists, which is shown in Cardiff. This widely-praised, world-class event is Wales’ biggest, most exciting contemporary visual art exhibition and international initiative.

Past exhibitions have included an exciting and challenging array of work: painting, photography, film, installation, socially engaged practice, performance and sculpture. Through their work, Artes Mundi artists have explored topical issues such as identity, citizenship, immigration, the environment and war. The shortlists have brought together artists who explore what it means to live in our world today, commenting on the social, political and cultural context of where they live and work in a way that has global relevance. Their work challenges our assumptions, our perspective and our understanding of the world around us.

But Artes Mundi is more than just an exhibition and prize. Its values are about widening access to international work of extraordinary quality and building a vibrant contemporary arts ecosystem in Wales through partnership with others. Going forward our aim is to root this international initiative even more firmly into the fabric and culture of Wales, in partnership and collaboration with like-minded organisations in Cardiff, Wales and internationally.

Artes Mundi is committed to learning and engagement programmes that build enjoyment, understanding and participation in contemporary art, working with children, young people, families, disadvantaged groups and communities, and with the general public. During Artes Mundi 6, a team of LiveGuides led events and activities that involved 5,500 (including over 3,000 children and students participating in educational workshops). Our involvement in the partnership project It’s Art But It’s Not is bringing international artists to some of the most deprived areas in Wales, to work in a radical new way helping local people own the regeneration of their communities and places.

Artes Mundi is well placed to create opportunities for dialogue, debate and networking that transcend national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Social events, seminars and an international conference create opportunities for Welsh artists and curators to network with colleagues from elsewhere and help to forge productive relationships, networks and partnerships.

At Artes Mundi’s core is the belief that art can and does play a vital part in our lives. Art is personally, socially and politically enriching and gives us a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the world around us. This approach continually reminds us and our audiences that art is not something marginal, but rather that it sits at the centre of our world. It encompasses the social, political, spiritual, emotional and psychological, all aspects of what it means to be human. It has the capacity not only to reflect our human condition but also to transform it.

The Artes Mundi 7 Exhibition will run at National Museum Cardiff and Chapter from 21st October 2016 to 26th February 2017.

Position Details - LiveGuides

LiveGuides are key front-line contact points for Artes Mundi’s audience, nurturing the relationship between the public and contemporary visual art. They play a vital role in making the art accessible to the public and creating a meaningful experience at the exhibition.

LiveGuides are employed for an 8 day training programme and then throughout the exhibition, which runs from 21st October to 26 February 2017. Their role is to:

• Devise and present weekday workshops to primary, secondary and SEN schools

• Lead daily and one-off guided tours the general public and pre-booked groups

• Devise and present family activities at weekends and during school holidays

• Devise and present weekly activities for older people, including those with dementia

·  Devise and present workshops for specific target groups including community organisations and corporate sponsors

·  Introduce and close Artes Mundi’s weekly public events programme and be the point of contact for these

·  Act as an ambassador within the gallery to engage with the general public and answer their questions

·  Act as guardians of the artwork, ensuring that it is not damaged accidentally or vandalised

·  Input into our social media campaign using twitter, Facebook and a weekly blog.

·  Collect audience feedback and contribute towards the evaluation of the LiveGuide Programme.

During the 8 training days LiveGuides will:

·  Research background information on the artists and their work

·  Meet and talk to shortlisted artists during the installation period

·  Explore presenting styles that are appropriate for engaging different audiences

·  Receive training on how to work with special educational needs groups

·  Receive training on how to talk to, and deliver workshops to, primary and secondary pupils, and ways to make links with the school curriculum in terms of assessment criteria

·  Receive training with the Alzheimer’s Society exploring ways of engaging with dementia sufferers.

·  Deviseschool workshops and self-led activities for each key stage, both in the gallery and in follow-on work at the school

·  Devise activities for family workshops

·  Devise activities and tours for older people, including those with dementia

·  Receive social media training, looking at ways to promote deeper engagement for audiences and develop new audiences through using Facebook and twitter

Position - LiveGuide Team Leader

The LiveGuide Team Leader will be part of the team and fully involved in the training and work described above, but will also take the lead in planning and monitoring day to day activities, liaising weekly with Artes Mundi’s Learning & Education Leader. The LiveGuide Team Leader will be responsible for the stock of workshop materials and will ensure that LiveGuides:

·  are on time and in place to meet and greet tours and school groups.

·  are available on the gallery floor to engage with visitors.

·  act as guardians of the artworks, working proactively to prevent vandalism or other damage.

·  keep the galleries clear of leftover workshop materials.

·  keep the information area and galleries well stocked with marketing material and resources.

·  systematically collect audience feedback.

Pay and Benefits

This appointment is offered on temporary contract of approximately 20 weeks.

Full and part-time positions are available. We will finalise the details of days and hours worked by each LiveGuide in discussion with the team, but contracts will generally be between 2 – 5 days per week. Days and hours of work are dependent on location and may vary.

LiveGuide positions are subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance. The 8 training will take place during September and October.

The rate of pay is £10 per hour (LiveGuide Team Leader £12 per hour.) There will be 11 days paid holiday for full-time LiveGuides (pro rata for part-time).

Person Specification - LiveGuide Team Leader and LiveGuides

Essential

·  A fine art or related degree (or equivalent experience)

·  A good understanding and knowledge of contemporary visual art

·  Excellent presentation and communication skills, including writing at a range of levels with individuals of all ages and the ability to converse with a wide range of audiences

·  Proven experience of working with a wide range of individuals and groups in a learning context, eg. teaching, community learning, adult learning

·  A creative and flexible approach to devising art based activity, and the confidence to develop ideas as part of a team

·  Commitment to providing high quality visitor care, welcoming visitors and listening and responding to their needs with empathy

·  Enthusiastic, ready to engage, reliable

·  Willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary

Desirable

·  Post graduate qualification in art or education

·  Teaching experience

·  Experience of working with community groups, older people, special educational needs and businesses

·  Spoken Welsh

·  The ability to converse in a foreign language and/or British Sign Language

·  For the Team Leader position, experience of managing or supervising a team would be highly desirable.

Personal Details and Equal Opportunities

Confidential

Artes Mundi is committed to a policy of ensuring equality of opportunity to ensure that job applicants are only considered on their ability to do the job. This form is intended to monitor that our policy is working effectively.

This information will be kept separate from your application and will not be seen by any person involved in the shortlisting process.

If you have any difficulty in completing this form please call Artes Mundi on 029 20 555 300 or email

Personal Details

Family name / First name
Address
Postcode
Telephone Number(s)
Email
Date of birth
* Female * Male
Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
* Yes * No
If yes please state the nature of your disability

Ethnic Origin

To which of these groups do you consider you belong (tick one box only):
White
* British
* Any other white background
If any other please specify ______/ Mixed
* White and Black Caribbean
* White and Black African
* White and Asian
* Any other mixed background
If any other please specify ______
Asian or Asian British
* Bangladeshi
* Indian
* Pakistani
* Any other Asian background
If any other please specify ______/ Black or Black British
* Caribbean
* African
* Any other Black background
If any other please specify ______
Other ethnic Groups
* Chinese
* Any other ethnic group
If any other please specify

Please give detail of any special arrangements you would require to enable you to participate in our selection process effectively.

Do you require a work permit to work in the UK? * Yes * No

Are you a close relative of one of Artes Mundi’s current employees or trustees? * Yes * No

If you have answered yes to either of the above, please give details

To help us monitor our advertising policy, please tell us where you saw the post advertised or how you found out about this vacancy.

Declaration

I declare that the information contained in this application (application form, personal details and equal opportunities form) is complete and correct. I understand that if I have knowingly provided false information or withheld relevant details, this could lead to disqualification from appointment or dismissal without notice.

Signed ______

Date ______

LiveGuide/ LiveGuide Team Leader Application Form


Please complete this form fully. You may attach a CV as additional information if you wish, but if you send a CV instead of completing the form your application will not be considered.
If you have any difficulty in completing this form please call Artes Mundi on

029 2055 5300 or email

Are you applying for a position as q LiveGuide q LiveGuide Team Leader q Both

Are you available for interview on August 30th q yes q No

Most Recent Employer (Paid or Unpaid)

Name & address of employer
Job title / Dates employed
Period of notice required
Reason for leaving (or seeking other employment)
Give a brief outline of your main responsibilities

Previous Employers (Paid and/or Unpaid)

From To / Name & address of employer / Job title and brief details of responsibilities / Reasons for leaving

Education, Training & Membership of Professional Bodies

Please give details of all qualifications obtained and those currently being pursued.

School, university, college etc / Qualifications obtained

Please give details of any work-related training you have undertaken.

Course title / Subjects covered / Course date

Please give details of membership of professional bodies (including level of membership and date obtained).

Knowledge of spoken Welsh or other language please specify language and level
(e.g. beginner, conversational, fluent)

Supporting Statement

Please tell us about:

•  Why you are applying for the position of LiveGuide/LiveGuide Leader

•  How your personal and work experience, education and training are relevant to this job

•  Anything else that makes you a suitable candidate.

(continue on a separate sheet if necessary)

Do you have a preference for a full or part time LiveGuide position?

q full time q part time q either

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974 (Exceptions) Order

Have you been convicted of a criminal offence? q yes q no
If yes please give details on a separate sheet. (declaration subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974).

Referees

Please give details of at least two people, not related to you, who will provide an employment reference for you to cover the last three years of employment or education. One of these must be your present or most recent employer if you are not currently employed. The other/s could be a previous employer, or a referee who can express a professional opinion on your work and your ability to perform the job for which you are applying.
We will not contact referees before an interview.

Please use a separate sheet if necessary.

Name / Name
Job title / Job title
Name of organisation / Name of organisation
Address / Address
Contact tel
Contact email / Contact tel
Contact email
How long have you known this person and in what capacity? / How long have you known this person and in what capacity?

You may expand this form or attach additional sheets if you need more space or feel additional information would be helpful to your application.

Thank you for your time and your interest in Artes Mundi.

Artes mundi 7 Live Guide application pack | 13