Arts administrator

Arts administrators are involved in the management of a cultural organisation, such as a theatre, orchestra, concert hall, art gallery or arts centre. The work involves liaison with venue managers, artistic directors and performers. Some financial responsibility is also usually involved.

Also known as:

Festival organiser
Leisure/arts manager
Theatre administrator

Work activities

Involvement in the management of a cultural organisation, such as a theatre, orchestra, concert hall, art gallery or arts centre, can be broadly classed as arts administration. Art administration includes:

General management.
Event planning and delivery.
Press and public relations.
Marketing.
Fund-raising.
Budget control.
Tour management.
Front of house management, e.g. catering.

Depending on the size of the organisation, these may be separate jobs or covered by a few or even just one person. Most organisations need money from public and private sources to supplement box office receipts. Therefore, arts administrators are normally involved in discussing and negotiating funding with a variety of people. For instance, they have meetings with:

People from the Arts Council and Regional Arts Boards, regarding subsidies.
Politicians, regarding council grants.
Private sponsors and charitable trusts, regarding private sponsorship.

Depending on the available funding, the arts administrator plans future events with the organisation’s artistic director. The plans are discussed and approved in committee meetings. In venues such as theatres, arts administrators make sure that laws relating to licensing of bars and restaurants, performing rights, and aspects of public safety are followed. Responsibility for the cleaning, maintenance and security of buildings may also be part of their role.

Many organisations also have performers on tour, and it is usually the role of the administrator to fix dates, find venues, and organise travel and accommodation. Arts administrators also carry out personnel work. They supervise the interviewing and selection of staff, negotiate employment contracts and deal with problems relating to staff training and working conditions. Equal opportunities can also be part of the administrator’s responsibility. In some organisations, the work of the arts administrator includes public relations work and the marketing of the services on offer to the public. For instance, they may write leaflets and programmes, discuss artwork with poster designers and make sure that material is received from the printers on time. The arts administrator will work closely with newspapers, radio and television, to promote media coverage and interviews with performers and directors.

Personal qualities and skills

As an arts administrator, you need:

Good knowledge and understanding of the particular arts field in which you are employed.
To be well organised, with good time-management skills.
Good communication and negotiation skills.
IT skills, including word processing and spreadsheets.
Some knowledge of financial administration.
The ability to work well in a team, as well as independently.
Self-motivation and initiative.
Confidence and flexibility.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for arts administrators vary widely, depending on employer and level of responsibility. Arts administrators earn in the range of £15,000, rising to £30,00 with experience.

Arts administrators usually work a basic 37-39-hour week. However, long, irregular hours and work at weekends may be required.

Arts organisations have faced financial cuts due to the economic recession; this is likely to have an impact on recruitment. Opportunities for arts administrators occur in towns and cities throughout the UK. Employers are organisations such as the Arts Council, regional Arts Council bodies and theatre, music and dance companies.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, e.g. The Guardian’s Arts & Media section, or in industry publications such as The Stage (online) and Arts & Business, on job boards, on employers’ websites, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Job vacancies are also advertised on the following websites:

Arts Jobs.
StarNow.
The Guardian – Theatre Jobs.

Entry routes and training

Most employers look for applicants with relevant qualifications and experience. Experience can be gained by working as an assistant administrator or in a similar admin role. You could also learn about this type of work by getting involved in amateur productions or from doing relevant voluntary work.

Many organisations prefer to employ graduates. Degrees in any subject are usually acceptable, although there are a number of arts management degrees, foundation degrees and HNDs available. Degrees in business, finance, accounting, personnel and recreation management are also useful. Relevant postgraduate courses are available on a full-time and part-time basis.

You could do a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of business administrator with an arts organisation.

Ongoing professional training and short courses are likely to be provided by your employer. The Independent Theatre Council (ITC Arts) runs short courses that cover useful areas, such as fund-raising, negotiation skills and different aspects of marketing.

With experience, it is possible for arts administrators to progress to management positions.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

For entry to a degree course in any subject, the usual minimum requirement is:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs (9-4) in three or four other subjects.

Other qualifications, such as an Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualification or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma may be considered in place of A-levels.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Applicants with a business administration, financial or management background, have an advantage. Employers value people who have a keen interest in and knowledge of the arts. Voluntary or holiday work in an arts centre, theatre or gallery is useful. Many entrants have a degree, often in an arts or media-related subject.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g., Access to Media) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

A number of centres throughout the country offer relevant courses by distance learning.

Related careers

Management services specialist
Music manager
Recreation manager
Stage manager