arts administrator

The work

Arts administrators plan and organise cultural and arts activities. They work in organisations such as local authorities, arts centres, theatres and regional arts boards. 

Their work varies according to the size and type of organisation, but can include:

• arranging venues and artists
• working with local arts organisations
• negotiating sponsorship and funding
• organising publicity and ticket sales
• organising security and catering
• managing budgets and keeping records
• general administration.

In small galleries and arts centres arts administrators may be involved in the whole day to day running of the centre. In larger organisations such as arts boards they may specialise in one area, for example marketing, public relations or education.

Hours and Environment

As an arts administrator your working hours will vary depending on the particular job. For example you may work evenings or weekends if you are involved in performances, festivals or exhibitions.

You may spend most of your time in an office or need to travel to attend events and performances or meet with artists and arts organisations.

Skills and Interests

To be an arts administrator you need:

• an interest in the arts in general, or a particular art form
• administrative and computer skills
• good written and verbal communication skills
• the ability to organise and prioritise work, solve problems and keep calm under pressure
• good time-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• the ability to work both alone and as part of a team
• commercial awareness
• the ability to make information accessible to a wide range of people.

Entry

There are no set qualifications for becoming an arts administrator. Although many arts administrators have degrees, the real key to the career is relevant experience, which you could get through voluntary or temporary work. You can gain experience in a number of ways, including:

• helping with student or community drama productions or concerts
• getting involved with community events such as street carnivals
• working in front of house or box office in arts centres, cinemas or theatres
• taking temporary work, for example with arts festivals.

Visit the websites of the Arts Councils of England, the Scottish Arts Council, the Arts Council of Wales or the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (in Further Information) for details of local arts organisations which may have opportunities for voluntary or temporary work. You can also get information from arts officers in your local authority.

Voluntary work will also give you the opportunity to make useful contacts, and is a way of showing future employers that you are enthusiastic and commited to the arts.

You will also need general administration skills, and you may find it useful to have qualifications or experience in areas such as word processing, book-keeping, public relations and marketing. You may be able to start as an assistant or secretary in an arts organisation and work your way up.

Many arts administrators are graduates, so a degree could be an advantage, although not essential. Relevant subjects include arts management, arts administration options in other arts-related degrees, events and entertainment management, and business studies, but relevant experience is more important than having a relevant degree. 

Some postgraduate courses include work placements in arts organisations, and can be useful for developing contacts.

Training

When you have a job in arts administration you can develop your skills by attending short courses. These are run by organisations such as The Arts Marketing Association and the Independent Theatre Council.

You could also work towards:

• NVQs/SVQs in Cultural Heritage Operations (Level 3), Cultural Heritage (Level 4) and Cultural Heritage Management (Level 5)
• the exams of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)
• a part-time postgraduate qualification in arts administration or arts management.

You will need to continue to develop your skills and knowledge, for example in areas such as human resources, accountancy, arts-related law and marketing.

Creative and Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries, and is developing a more structured approach to training in the arts sector, including NVQs, apprenticeships and training courses. See the Further Information section for contact details.

Opportunities

Arts administrators work for a wide range of organisation, including:

• museums and galleries
• arts centres
• theatres and performing arts organisations
• festivals
• disability arts organisations
• local authorities
• arts councils and regional arts boards.

Vacancies are advertised in newspapers, including The Guardian and  The Independent and in specialist publications such as The Stage, MAilOUT and Arts Professional.

There is fierce competition for jobs and many jobs are not advertised, so making contacts and gaining experience on a temporary or voluntary basis is important. Many organisations have volunteers working alongside paid workers, and some are run entirely by volunteers.

With experience you could become an arts officer or manager, do freelance work or become a consultant  for organisations developing arts policies.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

New entrants can start at around £12,000 a year.
Experienced staff can earn up to around £27,000.
Senior staff can earn up to £50,000.

Salaries may be related to local government administrator scales.

Further information

Tel: 0845 603 6000
16 Park Crescent
London
W1B 1AH
Tel: 020 7580 4741

14 Great Peter Street
London
SW1P 3NQ
Tel: 0845 300 6200 11 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444

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