Creative Arts Workshop Leader

Are you creative in a ‘not-very-creative’ job?

Do you want to do work that is rewarding and helps others?

Do you want to look forward to coming to work each day?

Why ArtWorks?

ArtWorks is a not-for-profit creative arts organisation that is dedicated to supporting the development and empowerment of artists with learning disabilities and/or autism. We are a group of creatives who are committed to fostering positive change for the artists we support, as well as the wider disability arts movements. Our collective also aims to express this desire for positive growth in our local environment and community. We support our artists to contribute to society through artistic exploration, exhibitions, events, and volunteer placements.

We believe in the transformative power of art and strive to create a place where every artist can thrive and express their creativity.

Please check us out at www.artworks-sy.co.uk and our International Arts Exhibition at www.artworkstogether.co.uk.

What Do the Roles Involve?

Two roles availble one at ArtWorks Sheffield St Polycarps CC, Wisewood Lane, Malin Bridge, Sheffield, S6 4WA and one at ArtWorks Barnsley, Barnsley Civic, Hanson St, Barnsley S70 2HZ

We are looking for creative individuals with a creative background/skills. Here at ArtWorks, we encourage our Artists to try as many different mediums of creativity as possible, to be able to do so we require our team to possess experience in a range of different creative techniques. We’re looking for individuals who are interested in art, photography, filmmaking, sculpture, animation, or textiles, to name a few. In particular, candidates who are confident using Adobe Photoshop are encouraged to apply to this role. A creative degree is preferred, however, we will also consider candidates with a creative background when no degree is possessed.

As a Creative Art Workshop Leader you will be running workshops, creative volunteer placements and community projects for Artists with learning disabilities and/or autism. This means it is vital that candidates are highly organised, and have the ability to anticipate future tasks whilst also considering current commitments. At each location, you will be part of a team of like-minded creatives who run the day-to-day art activities for between ten and twenty artists with learning disabilities and/or autism. A normal day at Art Works could involve supporting another leader to run a workshop, working on commissioned work such as merchandise or a mural off-site, or running your own creative workshop – with or without support depending on the activity and group size. This means we’re looking for someone who is capable of adapting quickly to the task at hand, and consistently builds inventive workshops for our Artists.

An important part of the role is supporting our artists to fulfil their dreams, aspirations and supporting the creation of opportunities for their work to be exhibited. This role allows for creative and practical development, with access to a variety of art materials, professional equipment, and knowledge. With a staff team of 30 creatives working across ArtWorks, we are a hive of buzzing activity day in and day out. We will ensure you are supported to develop as a Workshop Leader through training and shadowing to ensure you feel confident in supporting our artists. As a creative arts organisation, we are limited only by our imaginations and encourage everyone involved at ArtWorks to take on a wide range of projects.

We will provide you with care and comprehensive first-aid training, so you can understand autism and learning disabilities to confidently support our artists. Having a background in care or connections to people with a learning disability and/or are autistic is beneficial for this position, but not essential. This position requires you to support the Senior Creative Arts Workshop Leader with completing registers and reporting to ensure safety is maintained in our centers and during events and our artists are supported in a person-centred way. You will report directly to the Senior Creative Arts Workshop Leader with further support from the Care Manager and Creative Arts Co-ordinator.

We ask that you have a car and acquire business insurance, as we attend several galleries, events, and workshops in other areas, supporting our artists to exhibit far and wide, as well as regularly having fun days out with the artists.

What will my first year of employment look like?

• You will support the disabled and/or autistic Artists to develop new skills, create work and exhibit their work locally.
• You will be able to develop your own ideas, support us to purchase equipment and try new creative processes. The wider team will support you in doing so.
• You may attend training to learn new creative skills and learn from others in the team (screen printing, glasswork, textile, photography etc.).
• You will support the volunteer sessions managing the gardening and landscaping at Wentworth Woodhouse.
• You will have the opportunity to take part in regular swim and gym sessions supporting our artists.
• You will learn skills in care to help you best support our artists and develop yourself further.
• You can attend events outside of work – socially with colleagues, as well as VIP invites to art launches and exhibitions. This is not mandatory (because we don’t all want to go wild swimming on a Friday night, some of us just want Netflix and Pizza!).
• You will have the opportunity to support our disabled artists by working with some of our other volunteer partnerships, such as the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival, Wildlife Trust and the Retired Greyhound Trust to name a few.
• ArtWorks runs the bi-annual International Arts Festival Art Works Together which you will be able to support in different capacities depending on your skill set.
• You will support sustainable working practices and spread this knowledge to the general public through our work.
• You will develop new care skills and provide a safe environment for our artists through reporting and regular staff meetings.
• We run activities like a Santa’s Grotto, Pumpkin Carving and Charity work you will be able to be involved with.
• Countryside walks, cycling, bowling, cinema visits, picnics, and generally whatever social activities our artists want to engage in.
• We hold a sports day in the summer, and a large Christmas Party in the winter for all of our buildings to participate in.
• You will support our artists to go on a holiday to Butlins during the working week once a year.
• You will receive supervision to ensure you feel supported and happy in your role.

All of our positions offer scope to develop into further roles as our not-for-profit continues to grow.

Do I have what it takes?

Possible Examples:

• Are you working somewhere you feel your creative degree doesn’t go to use?
• Are you a freelance creative looking for a bit more stability in your work?
• Do you work in a corporate environment that doesn’t give you the creative freedom you need?
• Do you have a background in care but a keen eye for photography?
• Do you want to help people learn creatively without the restrictions of a formal teaching environment?
• Are you a passionate and empathetic person who vibes from creating a fun work environment for others?

The Finer Details

Full-time position: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 16:30

Two roles availble one at ArtWorks Sheffield St Polycarps CC, Wisewood Lane, Malin Bridge, Sheffield, S6 4WA and one at ArtWorks Barnsley, Barnsley Civic, Hanson St, Barnsley S70 2HZ

Salary: £26,277.50 pert annum, Per hour £13.45

Even more Benefits! No way!

• Flexible dress code
• Enhanced sick pay
• Office drinks and breakfast items
• Training and development opportunities
• Company and social events
• Free tickets to art events
• Cycle to work programme
• Competitive pension
• ArtWorks merchandise
• One Dedicated Mental Health Day a year
• Shopping Discount codes
• Selected free and discounted music, theatre and sports tickets.

How do I become part of the ArtWorks collective?

To begin your application for this role please send your answers to the following questions, your CV, and your cover letter to artworks.hr@gmail.com.

• Do you have a valid UK Driving Licence?
• Do you have access to your own, personal car?
• Would you be able to drive to our locations within 45 minutes?
• Are you aware this is a full time position?

We ask that you explain why you would like to work for ArtWorks in your cover letter.

If you are selected to progress in the recruitment process, you will be sent an application form to fill in prior to your interview and an online assessment form.

The final stage of our recruitment process is an in-person interview, details of which will be outlined closer to the time.

Please do not apply if:

You do not have a car and a license. This is essential for trips, such as our holiday to Butlins or picnics at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park etc.