Dance Development Worker for Inverness and Inner Moray Firth. 3 years/ full-time (37.5 hours) Background information

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1 Dance Development Worker for Inverness and Inner Moray Firth 3 years/ full-time (37.5 hours) Background information Over the past three years, Eden Court has worked towards building a critical mass for dance across the Highlands. This initiative has been supported by Creative Scotland and Highland Council through funding to develop a dance development strategy for the Highlands (Dance Strategy). As a result, Eden Court has become the Dance Hub for the Highlands. This post builds on the Dance Strategy. It will develop and deliver programmes of dance activities around the region that will include classes, short projects and performance opportunities in schools and in the wider community. In addition, the post holder will assess the sustainability of dance activities in the Inverness and Inner Moray Firth area and research the potential to expand the programme of dance education. There is potential to continue this work after the initial three year period, and the Dance Development worker will assist with identifying resources to support the continuation of the post, including opportunities for the commercial development of Eden Court s creative arts education activities. An introduction to the CREATIVE Department Eden Court CREATIVE is the department that delivers all our creative learning work. It is a complex department delivering many different types of work in a variety of locations. Eden Court CREATIVE aims to be consistently rewarding: providing entertaining, creative, occasionally challenging, or diverse arts events and activities for children, young people and adults in Inverness and throughout the Highlands. The CREATIVE Department is central to the work of Eden Court. To fully understand the department it is useful look at the different roles within the department and at the activities that the department undertakes. CREATIVE staff CREATIVE Manager The CREATIVE Manager is part of the Eden Court senior management team of three people (along with the Finance and Administration Manager and the Operations Manager) who report to the Chief Executive. The CREATIVE Manager is assisted by the CREATIVE Assistant and is responsible for a number of staff and work programmes as follows: Drama Artist Eden Court s drama artist leads many of the drama classes delivered at Eden Court. They provide support for the CREATIVE Theatre Arts Worker Team and are responsible for their training. The drama artist also responds to requests for commissioned projects which may come from commercial, statutory and third sector organisations. Dance Artist Eden Court s dance artist is responsible for teaching many of the dance classes at Eden Court. They oversee delivery of Higher Dance (see SQA below) and any visiting company dance creative learning work. The Dance Artist is Project Manager of the Dance Strategy for the Highlands which aims to develop dance activity across the region. They also manage the delivery of events and activities taking place in the Highlands as part of the Get Scotland Dancing Initiative.

2 Digital Artist The digital artist and their team teach digital media and film making classes at Eden Court. They also manage the Creative Identities project which delivers digital media training to vulnerable young people, young carers and looked after children. Theatre Arts Workers Eden Court s theatre arts workers deliver a participative theatre arts programme throughout the Highlands, in partnership with Highland Council. There are nine theatre arts workers who live and work in various communities. They work in schools with curriculum subjects, create youth theatre and develop work in community theatre. The team meet regularly at Eden Court for training/ planning days (approx 15 per year). Additional Needs The two part time additional needs theatre arts workers cover schools and community groups in and around Inverness. CREATIVE activities Studio programme There are over 60 classes offered weekly during school term time and between taster or special events. The classes are mainly drama, dance or film making and cater for all ages (from babies to adults) and for many levels and abilities. They are taught by experienced freelancers and our in-house CREATIVE Team. SQA Eden Court is the only theatre in Scotland to deliver Scottish Qualifications Authority exams: Higher Drama, Higher Dance and National 5 Drama. Students are taught at Eden Court on Saturdays and in holiday periods. The courses are very successful and provide a necessary route to accreditation which is not available to many Highland school pupils. The courses are delivered with funding support from Highland Council. Dance development in the Highlands Eden Court is the Dance Hub for the Highlands and delivers a programme of events as part of initiatives to develop dance in the Highlands. The aim is to develop a critical mass of dance across the Highlands both through classes and developing the professional sector. Cashback for Creativity Eden Court is the Highland delivery organisation for Cashback for Creativity. This project is funded by Scottish Government through proceeds of crime money. The project targets vulnerable young people, young carers and looked after children through partnership with three national organisations: Barnardos, Action for Children and Princess Trust for Young Carers. The project aims to foster a creative outlet for young people to tell stories using digital technology Productions The CREATIVE department develops performances for specific audiences (e.g. under 5 s) or at specific times of the year (e.g. Christmas). The performances often involve staff and occasionally tour in the Highlands as well as performing at Eden Court in the OneTouch Theatre. Child protection Eden Court has a child protection policy, guidelines for staff and a vulnerable adults protection policy. The policies are updated annually and are available for all members of staff whose job includes working with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Eden Court is registered with the CRBS as part of the Disclosure Scotland scheme. This allows us to put any worker through the Disclosure Scotland checks to allow them to work safely with young people. The CREATIVE manager is Eden Court s child protection officer.

3 An introduction to Eden Court and the Highlands Inverness and the Highlands Inverness was awarded city status in It enjoys one of the fastest growth rates in Europe but has many of the advantages associated with both small town and big city living. It is small enough to be friendly and to have retained its community feeling but large enough to have the facilities and events you would expect to find in any modern city. Inverness is the capital of the Highlands of Scotland which contain some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. The Highlands can be enjoyed peacefully or for the more adventurous they are seen as the outdoor capital of Europe. Eden Court Eden Court is the theatre and entertainment venue for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We present a wide ranging and varied programme of live performances and films, as well as providing the largest programme of creative learning of any UK theatre. Our programme ranges from full scale opera to rock music, from large scale drama to stand up comedy and from international modern dance to local community companies. We have two state-of-the-art cinemas, showing popular blockbusters, art house film and specialist cinema from around the world. Eden Court is home to both the Inverness Film Festival and one of Scotland s most popular Christmas pantomimes. We deliver our creative learning programme throughout the region. During the last few years Eden Court has become a great success story. We have achieved consistent and substantial growth in audience numbers and are highly respected by our two major revenue funders the Highland Council and Creative Scotland. Eden Court serves the whole of the Highlands of Scotland (an area similar in size to Wales). Over 30% of our audience travel for more than 90 minutes to attend a performance so we pride ourselves on looking after our audience and ensuring that their remarkable loyalty is repaid. Whether you focus on our unique creative learning programme, the size of the region we serve or the variety of our programme, there really is no other theatre like us in Britain. The Eden Court building Eden Court Theatre was designed by Law and Dunbar Naismith and opened in It combined a new theatre and foyer space with dressing room and office accommodation in an 1878 building that was originally the residence for the Bishop of Inverness. The building was significantly extended and refurbished in 2007 with design by Page \ Park. It is now the largest arts centre in Scotland and has won a number of architecture, design and environmental awards. It is a Grade A listed building. We have a main house of 850 seats (The Empire), a second smaller theatre with 250 seats (The OneTouch Theatre); two cinemas (La Scala and The Playhouse); two studios and 15 dressing rooms. Eden Court is also home to a restaurant, bars, visual arts spaces and conference facilities. Eden Court staff Our staff include some of the most experienced, professional and skilful working in theatre throughout the UK. We offer competitive rates of pay, a generous pension scheme, beautiful premises and a relaxed and informal working environment in which you will be able to make a valuable contribution.

4 Job Description Dance Development Worker for Inverness and Inner Moray Firth 3 years/ full-time (37.5 hours) Eden Court is the theatre and entertainment venue for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We present a wide ranging and varied programme of live performances and films, as well as operating one of the largest and most significant programmes of education of any UK theatre. Summary of responsibilities As Dance Development Worker for Inverness and Inner Moray Firth you will be responsible for developing and delivering a programme of dance activities, supported and advised by Eden Court CREATIVE s Dance Artist and CREATIVE Manager. The programme of classes and projects you develop will link closely to the dance programme at Eden Court and follow on from the Dance Development Strategy for the Highlands. You will provide excellent customer service at all levels, both internally within Eden Court and externally with other organisations and to members of the public. You are responsible to the CREATIVE Dance Artist and the CREATIVE Manager. Whilst you do not have any staff reporting to you, you will be expected to work closely with all members of the CREATIVE Team and to liaise effectively with other Eden Court departments, and external organisations relevant to the activities you will deliver. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexible hours, which will include regular evening and weekend work. In particular your responsibilities and duties are as follows. Schools To develop and deliver dance sessions within the curriculum to schools in the Inverness and Inner Moray Firth area, including nursery, primary and secondary - linking to the Curriculum for Excellence. To develop strong links with schools by offering after-school dance activities where appropriate, assisting with school productions and supporting them to expand the opportunities for dance. Classes and outreach events To develop a programme of classes throughout the region. The programme should offer classes in a variety of styles, for a broad range of ages, and will require liaison with local dance tutors and theatre groups. The programme will include term-time classes and holiday projects delivered mainly in the smaller communities outside Inverness. Once a programme of regular classes has become established the Dance Development Worker will be expected to devise and deliver short projects and performance opportunities. They will also identify individuals and groups who would benefit from training and mentoring opportunities. At times you will be required to participate in projects at Eden court and other locations in the Highlands to support dance development across the whole Highland region. This will include contributing to events and projects being delivered by Cashback for Ceativity and the Highland Youth Arts Hub

5 You may be required to give occasional assistance at classes to help tutors or provide cover in the event of an emergency. Development To assess and research the potential to expand the programme of Dance Education in the area, i.e. the potential for presenting performances or operating residential projects. This will include nurturing links with other individuals and organisations in the region that will support dance development activities. You will be expected to act as an advocate for Eden Court and for the Dance Strategy for the Highlands with local arts providers, venues, councillors, teachers and the public. You will identify potential partners within the community and build upon the network of dance enthusiasts in the region. You will assess the sustainability of dance activities in the Inverness and Inner Moray Firth area and investigate resources to support the continuation of the post. This work will include identifying opportunities for the commercial development of Eden Court s arts education activities. Administration and Management Your administrative and managerial responsibilities will include the following: Initiation, organisation and evaluation of activities Liaison with schools, youth groups, theatre groups and private dance schools Carrying out all personal administration required by the department as directed by your line manager, such as timesheets, registers and expenses, to facilitate the evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities delivered Communicate and collaborate with the Dance Artist and CREATIVE Team at Eden Court to ensure the most effective delivery and maximum participation Work within a defined budget to deliver the aims and outcomes of the programme As a member of Eden Court staff you will be required to implement certain key policies including Equal Opportunities, Customer Care, Child Protection and the Health and Safety Policies. You will also be expected to take your share of responsibility in the ongoing improvement of these policies and for contributing to the overall profile and reputation of Eden Court. Any other duties requested by the CREATIVE Manager which are reasonable requirements for the job of Dance Development Worker for Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth.

6 Dance Development Worker for Inverness and Inner Moray Firth 3 years/ full-time (37.5 hours) Candidate Specification Qualifications Degree level qualification or equivalent training and/or experience in dance. Candidates who are not graduates, but who can demonstrate appropriate training and/ or experience will be judged as favourably as those with a degree. Experience and technical skills We do not expect a candidate to have experience of all the areas listed below but preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate experience in a number of the areas. Expertise in at least two dance styles, particularly Street/Hip-Hop and/or Jazz. Experience of teaching dance to a variety of different ages and abilities. Experience of developing a sustainable dance programme in a community context for a wide range of individuals and groups. Experience of delivering dance activities in schools. Knowledge of dance performance, choreography and production in a professional capacity. Experience of managing projects within a defined budget. Excellent organisational and administrative skills. Good IT skills including Microsoft word and excel. Personal Qualities Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills. Excellent organisational and time management skills. Ability to work flexibly according to the changing demands and needs of the organisation. Commitment to high standards of care for both external and internal customers. A high degree of motivation, enthusiasm and commitment to the provision and understanding of dance in the community. A knowledge and love of performing arts. Commitment to, and awareness of, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. Owing to the geographical location, the post will require the successful candidate to hold a clean, full driving licence and to use their own vehicle for work purposes. The successful candidate will have to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure prior to appointment.