Job Summary
The Turnpike Gallery is recruiting for a key freelance role on our ACE funded project Make. Believe. for a period of 18 months between Feb 2025 – Jul 2026. We are looking for an experienced and passionate arts producer who can work closely with partners to deliver a community-led engagement project.
Job Description
MAKE. BELIEVE. is a two-year ACE funded programme of creative activity led by The Turnpike Gallery, designed to reach new audiences, address inequalities in our community and co-create new artworks in Wigan & Leigh.
We will deliver a programme of participatory arts and creative storytelling in partnership with HF Works CIC & Resilient Cities Network. Higher Folds estate in east Leigh is an isolated, often misunderstood community and an area of significant deprivation (top 8% in UK). Residents tell us they 'just want to be given a chance'. There is a wealth of creativity within the neighbourhood - from the outsider art of individuals to the collective folklore stories of Marble Woods, the Monkey Tree and the epic tree house created by a local resident out of recycled materials.
Contract: Freelance
Reporting to: The Turnpike Gallery Team
Location: Split between onsite work at Higher Folds Leigh, and remote working or working from The Turnpike Gallery
Contact length: 36 days between February 2025 - July 2026 (approx. 2 days per month)
Fee: £5500
The Higher Folds Community Producer will be a key part of the MAKE. BELIEVE. project team and will focus on the Higher Folds strand of the project. They will be responsible for jointly developing and implementing a collaborative arts project with HF Works CIC and residents of Higher Folds. The goal of the project is to engage the community, support local artists, and enhance the livelihood and wellbeing of participants.
Job Requirements
Person Specification
* 3+ years of experience in arts producing, community engagement or socially engaged arts practice
* Experience in commissioning and supporting professional artists and arts projects
* Experience working collaboratively with communities and groups
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage diverse audiences
* Demonstrated success in project management, including managing budgets
* Understanding of contemporary arts practice and socioeconomic challenges facing disadvantaged communities in the northwest of England
* Familiarity with project evaluation and impact measurement
* Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
* Use of own computer and proficiency with Excel, TEAMS, Word and Outlook
* Access to own transport (desirable)
Job Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
* Build strong working relationships with The Turnpike Gallery Team and project partners Resilient Cities Network and HF Works
* Work with HF Works to carry out consultation with residents to understand their needs and interests for the project
* Work with HF Works to design a brief for the lead artist on the project and lead on recruitment processes
* Collaborate with HF Works and the lead artist to design and deliver a community engagement project that is responsive to the community's needs and aligns with the overall project goals
* Support the Freelance Marketing Assistant to promote the project and workshops
* Work with HF Works to recruit and support micro-commission artists working on independent projects
* Work with HF Works to plan and deliver the final community celebration event at Higher Folds, to showcase the community's artistic achievements
* Contribute towards evaluation of the project working with our project evaluator
How to Apply
Please submit a CV, covering letter and equal opportunities monitoring form to theturnpikegallery@wigan.gov.uk no later than Sunday 19th January. Your covering letter can be in written format of up to 2 pages, or audio/video format of up to 3 minutes.
For questions or an informal conversation about the role, please contact theturnpikegallery@wigan.gov.uk / 01942 404469
About The Turnpike Gallery
The Turnpike Gallery is an arts and exhibition space based in Leigh and managed by Wigan Council.
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