Greater Manchester Arts Centre Ltd. Freelance Creative Facilitator Job Pack GMAC is funded by Page 1 of 13
Job Title FREELANCE CREATIVE FACILITATOR Duration of contract This freelance contract will cover the period of June - September 2016. A detailed schedule of work is included on page 10 of this job pack. The project In the summer of 2016, HOME will embark upon an exciting, ambitious, innovative and risk-taking two year project involving the hand over of the organisation to a group of 20 young people for the month of August 2017. HOME aims to recruit a diverse and passionate group of 20 talented young people to this project during outreach sessions in June and July 2016. The opportunity will specifically be open to anyone aged 18-25 who lives in Greater Manchester. The selected young people will come together in August 2016, and will be challenged with a provocation, set by HOME s three Artistic Directors. The young people will then set about developing their ideas and responding to this provocation over three intensive weeks of training, workshops, research and development. They will be guided and mentored through the entire process to ensure that they have a strong and realistic idea that is achievable within the timeframe. The August R&D period will be broken down as follows: Week 1 - at HOME - meet staff, see work, have tours, undertake practical workshops with experienced creatives who work cross-art-form. Week 2 - visit other venues in Manchester/ across UK to experience festivals and events that will help the group to explore the potential of what they could create. Week 3 - at HOME - group briefed on expectations of year 2 - it should have a public facing outcome, they will have X budget and X staff to support them, They then formulate ideas over 4 days and pitch 3 options back to HOME Artistic Directors. Following this and between September 2016 and July 2017, the group will be supported in making their project happen in August 2017. This unique cross-art-form project will take place in HOME s multi-art-form venue and will be fully supported by the diverse and highly skilled staff team. This project will push the boundaries of the cross-art-form experience and provide the young creatives with a fantastic talent development opportunity. Page 2 of 13
This job opportunity This is the perfect opportunity to work across theatre, film and art with diverse groups of young people aged 18-25 at Manchester s new cultural venue. We are looking to recruit a driven and experienced Creative Facilitator to support the HOME Young People s Programme Producer in the first stage of this project between June - September 2016. Work will include: Recruiting the young people via a series of outreach sessions; Facilitating workshops; Supporting the young people to develop exciting and realistic project ideas; Sourcing appropriate inspirational creatives to work with the group, both during the ideas stage in August 2016 and during the development and implementation of the project between September 2016 and August 2017. HOME has a joined-up artistic programme of equally important theatre, contemporary visual art and film. At selected times throughout the year, this manifests itself in cross art-form projects that involve a huge range of people of all ages and backgrounds. This post holder will report to the Head of Engagement and Young People s Programme Producer and will work closely with all Artistic teams, and with other engagement staff in the organisation to deliver this exciting new project. HOME is an exciting, busy and ambitious organisation to work for so expect to be challenged. If you can share our vision and have the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job, this is a great and unique opportunity. Our Ideal Candidate You will be a locally based, driven and experienced facilitator with great people skills, a passion for the arts and an organised and self-motivated character. You will be an excellent collaborator and have a track record of facilitating small and large-scale innovative and high quality projects that involve diverse groups of people who you have supported to make their own projects happen. Working with various people, from artists and programmers, to stakeholders and community members of all ages will be second nature to you, and managing the expectations and needs of these people will be something you excel at. You will be an excellent communicator and will have the skills and experience to plan and deliver workshops as appropriate for various people with different learning styles. This is an exciting and challenging role, which will play a major part in shaping this ambitious new HOME project. Page 3 of 13
Application Procedure Please complete the HOME application form telling us how you meet the Person Specification for this role. The deadline for applications is 5pm Wed 18 May 2016 Interviews will take place Wed 25 May 2016 To apply for this position, please complete the online application form at http://goo.gl/forms/f9tba3b5va Unfortunately we cannot acknowledge receipt of applications or provide feedback. If you have not heard from us by 12noon on Tue 24 May 2016, please assume that we will not be taking your application any further. HOME strives to be an equality of opportunity employer Thank you for your interest in this post. Page 4 of 13
Job Description for Freelance Creative Facilitator Purpose To plan recruitment outreach sessions across various Greater Manchester based settings. To facilitate engaging creative recruitment sessions that are suitable for diverse groups of young people. To plan and facilitate the August workshops so the young people are supported in developing exciting and realistic project ideas that are cross-art-form and that respond to the Artistic Director s provocation. To work with the Young People s Programme Producer to source professional and ideally, cross-art-form working creative groups and individuals to work with the group in August as part of the skills development and taster phase of the project alongside yourself. To ensure that young people are supported in developing confidence, employability skills, creative skills and ambition throughout the project. Responsible to: Head of Engagement Main Duties 1. In collaboration with the Young People s Programme Producer, to plan, deliver, facilitate and evaluate the project to a high quality standard. 2. To attend all necessary one-to-one meetings, team meetings and partner meetings. 3. To undertake all necessary administration as required by the Head of Engagement and Young People s Programme Producer. 4. To ensure that all necessary staff are kept up to date with the progress of the project on a regular basis. 5. To ensure that the project is accessible to a wide range of young people from diverse backgrounds. 6. To ensure that the welfare of the young people involved with the project is of primary concern at all times. 7. To ensure that all child protection and safeguarding procedures are adhered to at all times in accordance with GMAC s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. 8. To work with all staff to ensure GMAC guidelines are followed, the project is planned effectively, the project is delivered to a high standard, the project is Page 5 of 13
undertaken in the required timeframe, the project is delivered to budget, and the young people are motivated and engaged. 9. To work evenings and weekends as appropriate. This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. Page 6 of 13
PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR FREELANCE CREATIVE FACILITATOR QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING Essential Educated to degree level or with comparable life experience. Youth arts or facilitation training. Desirable Art/ theatre/ film related degree. Youth arts qualification. SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE Knowledge and understanding of contemporary theatre, visual arts and film culture. Familiar with cultural provision in Greater Manchester region. Up to date knowledge of young people s talent development schemes and best practice. Up to date knowledge of legalities and best practice around safeguarding vulnerable adults and child protection. EXPERIENCE Extensive experience of facilitating workshops with diverse groups of young people to enable them to make their own high quality work. Public speaking. Experience in project planning, monitoring and evaluation. Research and evaluation of work. Working in an arts organisation Preparing and presenting reports. PRACTICAL & INTELLECTUAL SKILLS Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise and organise workload. Excellent team working skills. Excellent time management and organisational skills. Page 7 of 13
Ability to work under pressure, remain calm and meet deadlines. Excellent communications skills both written and verbal. Flexible and imaginative approach to communicating ideas and skills. Excellent people skills. Computer literate in word processing and use of spreadsheets and database programmes. Skilled in the use of web and internet communications and research tools. DISPOSITION & ATTITUDE A collaborative approach to work. A flexible, creative and innovative approach to engaging people. Committed to creating great experiences and opportunities for diverse groups of people. A friendly and open personality with the ability to communicate with a diverse range of people. Understanding of and proven commitment to Equal Opportunities and social inclusion. An informed interest in the type of work presented by GMAC. Understanding of and proven commitment to Equal Opportunities and social inclusion. PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES You should be locally based. Ability to travel throughout Greater Manchester region. Page 8 of 13
Able and willing to work flexible hours, including weekend and evening work. This post is based in Manchester. Applicants should not be barred from working with young people or vulnerable adults and should be willing to complete an Enhanced Disclosure criminal records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service if selected for this post. Page 9 of 13
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FREELANCE CREATIVE FACILITATOR GMAC Ltd has a Staff Manual that provides full details of all terms and conditions of employment as well as staff benefits. The following are the main terms of employment. Set freelance fee 6000 for 30 days between June and September 2016 Hours of work GMAC Ltd has a standard working day of 8 hours inclusive of a meal break. Contract period This post is offered as a fixed term freelance contract. Work will commence in June and run through to September as broken down below. June: Estimated 5 days - Mainly evening and weekend recruitment sessions plus some day-time office work. July: Estimated 5 days - Mainly evening and weekend recruitment sessions plus some day-time office work. August: 15 days undertaken throughout the first 3 weeks of August. September: Estimated 5 days - Mainly day-time office work plus one or two weekend or evening sessions. Probationary period 4 days Period of notice 1 week will apply to both employer and employee Page 10 of 13
Background Appendix 1 A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body Benjamin Franklin In Spring 2015, a new purpose-built centre for international contemporary art, theatre, film and books opened its doors for the first time in Manchester, as part of the vibrant new First Street development. This organisation, HOME, was formed from the merger of two of Manchester s bestloved arts organisations, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company. HOME is a place for curiosity seekers, for lovers of the dramatic, the digital and the deeply engaging, for radicals and reciprocators. HOME s two new theatres - a 500 seat theatre and 150 seat flexible studio space - provide a playful platform for new, commissioned work. The five cinema screens light up daily with challenging, independent film. The 500m² 4m high gallery space is home to the very best in contemporary art. HOME is more than stage and screen, however. HOME is a centre for coproduction, artistic creation and sharing. It is dedicated to learning, for people of all ages. A place for new work and playful ideas; for festivals and commissions; for artists and for audience engagement. Manchester City Council invested 19 million on the creation of HOME. The overall budget for the project was 25 million with the remaining 6 million being met by external partners - 1m through fundraising and a further 5 million of Arts Council England funding. HOME is located at First Street, just off Whitworth Street in a vibrant new development. It includes a public square that is ideal for events, activities and performances. HOME anchors the development of a dynamic creative quarter for Manchester, drawing together the creative energy emerging from Knott Mill to the west and the Palace Theatre to the east. HOME is an important addition to Manchester s flourishing cultural tourism offer, cementing the city s position as a key short break destination. In its first year of operation, HOME welcomed over 800,000 visitors who experienced the vast array of events and opportunities on offer at the venue. Page 11 of 13
HOME s Engagement Strategy Excerpt Appendix 2 Our engagement activity is crucial to achieving the vision for HOME because it connects with an exceptionally diverse mix of people who see and shape our programme. Our mission and vision statements express this ambition: This is HOME We live to work with artists to produce questioning and ambitious artistic projects and involve audiences with new and extraordinary experiences in contemporary theatre, visual art and film. HOME s Vision To be an international production and exhibition centre of outstanding provocative contemporary theatre, visual art and film and an axis of experimentation at the point where they meet. To be a HOME for both artists and audiences, with a strong reputation for use of digital media communication and distribution, developing talent, audience engagement, and working creatively with communities. HOME s programme across all art forms is unique for it s ability to tell stories that aren t found elsewhere. Across productions, exhibitions, commissions and projects, it s clear that HOME is where artists create the type of work that interrogates and illuminates our contemporary existence. By engagement we mean every activity that enables people to get closer to the programme, artists and art-forms, and to tell their own stories through their own artistic creations. HOME engagement is unlike anywhere else, with an integrated programme, which spans five distinct strands: Visual art Film Theatre Community and Young People Digital and Creative Development The latter two strands: Community & Young People and Digital & Creative Development, are led and developed by HOME s Head of Engagement. Both these strands work with the three art forms that make up the other strands of our work: Visual Arts, Film and Theatre. Often experimental, engagement also dwells at the point where these art forms meet. Page 12 of 13
Our Model for Engagement Community & Young People, which segments into: a) Schools & Colleges b) Young People aged 15-25 who engage with us in their own time c) Communities based near HOME Digital & Creative Development, which provides artists and audiences with a range of ways to get deeper into our programme and develop their own creativity: a) General Creative Offer: talks, tours, courses, animating public spaces b) Specialised Creative Offer: skills/talent development, showcases and networks c) Research & Development: experimental, innovative making of new work Work-based training cuts across our activities with work experience, internships, apprenticeships and volunteering being offered across the organisation. Page 13 of 13