Bristol Beacon Share in the joy of live music Creative Assistant Recruitment pack A Weston Jerwood Creative bursary 2020-22 Fellowship role Recruitment pack — Creative Assistant Beacon

Contents of pack

About Bristol Beacon 3 Introduction to the programme, marketing and development creative teams 4 About this role 6 Who we are looking for 8 How to apply 10 What this role offers 11 Checklist to apply for the role 12

If you require our application form in an alternative format or you would like to talk about submitting your application in a different way, please contact our People Manager on 0117 204 7108 / [email protected]

This recruitment pack is available on our website bristolbeacon.org/about-us/jobs-and-opportunities/ where you can also find our Applicant Privacy Notice.

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About Bristol Beacon

Welcome to Bristol Beacon and thank you for your we deliver the National Plan for Music Education to all interest in this creative role. Bristol Beacon has been children aged 4-18, inspiring 39,000 children in 150 part of Bristol’s cultural heritage for 150 years, hosting schools, special schools, and youth groups every year. some of the world’s greatest musicians from The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Rachmaninov to , Our community-led Transformation Promise programme, in , and Queen, Belle and Sebastian partnership with The National Foundation for Youth Music and Kraftwerk, and music festivals including Simple Things, and Paul Hamlyn Foundation, works with children under Bristol Jazz and Blues and Americana. Our vision is to unite five from low-income families, adults in social isolation/ people through the joy of live music. with dementia, children in care/care leavers and community musicians.

We have also announced our sustainability commitment to become the first carbon neutral concert hall in the UK.

We achieve our aims through the work of our vibrant and dedicated staff team, which you could be a part of. We aspire to reflect the city of Bristol and its people; we value individual difference and the importance of staff wellbeing, so that our team can be their best selves at work.

Click the image or follow this link for a film that gives Bristol Beacon’s commitment to diversity is that we believe a flavour of what we do at Bristol Beacon: that our work will be greater when we are representative youtu.be/br4S1A1ls9w of the lived experience across Bristol and the wider region. We are looking for people with the skills and experience to In 2018, we embarked on a major capital transformation help us to widen our perspective and better serve the needs to create a world-class music venue for the region that is of our communities. We recognise that you might have the most inclusive in the UK. Prior to transformation, our a different route into the arts, you may be from a diverse artistic programme had grown to 450 events and six major community, experienced socio-economic hardship, have not festivals, attracting 300,000 visitors per year. Our visitors been to University, or you may have work experience that is come from across the UK and abroad with 65% from Bristol. transferable to this role. If you are from a background that In June 2018 we closed our main auditorium and second hall is underrepresented in the culture sector, we are looking for to commence the refurbishment programme. However, we people who thrive on enhancing their skills and have a range have partnered with over 30 other local venues to continue of different experience and the enthusiasm to develop their to promote a programme of around 200 shows per year chosen field of work with us. in these venues and other interesting locations, which has maintained crucial engagement with audiences and artists, targeting hard-to-reach groups and disadvantaged areas.

As an organisation increasing in national importance, we have developed our creative learning and engagement work. Our specialisms include working with underrepresented communities, including 2,500 young people with disabilities and in care. As the Music Education Hub for Bristol,

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Introduction to the programme, marketing and development creative teams

Todd Wills Artistic Director I lead the Programming Team and am responsible for the artistic output of the organisation. I was previously a freelance programmer working for The Vortex in London as well as festivals such as WOMAD, Night of Festivals and Larmer Tree. I am passionate about the work we do at Bristol Beacon because we are a dedicated and supportive team, and we offer the freedom to explore projects other concert halls do not.

Matt Aitken Music Programmer I have worked at Bristol Beacon for 6 years and in the industry for over 15 Years. Before working for Bristol Beacon, I had been programming across the city and ran a local venue called Start The Bus. I also ran a city-wide international music festival called Simple Things. Favourite show at Bristol Beacon to date is Nils Frahm. The sound rocked the venue.

Sarah Robertson Communications and Special Projects Director My role is Communications and Special Projects Director and I lead the marketing and communications team at Bristol Beacon. I previously worked at Bath Music Festival, Aardman Animations and Theatre. I love working at Bristol Beacon because I get to sample lots of different kinds of music genres and events.

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Andy Boreham Head Of Marketing My role is Head of Marketing. I lead and work with the rest of the marketing team to promote and communicate all of the work that Bristol Beacon does. I love working at Bristol Beacon because everybody is so passionate about music. I have also worked in theatre and local government PR.

Rosa Corbishley Development Director As Development Director at Bristol Beacon I have worked for lots of musical and arts-based organisations in both fundraising and marketing roles. I love working in the cultural sector because the shows are so exciting and the audience and the supporters so passionate. I have previously worked at Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Salisbury International Arts Festival in the UK, and Sydney Symphony and Musica Viva in Australia.

Natalie Ridgeon Development Manager I support the fundraising function at Bristol Beacon working closely with the Development Director on cultivation of major donors and corporate sponsors as well as delivering a year long programme of events for Patrons and prospects. I’ve previously worked in Alumni relations at The Royal High School Bath and before that in London at The Royal Ballet School working with student sponsors and generating income through the alumni programme. I’ve been privileged to see some incredible artists at Bristol Beacon and work with such a diverse team of arts professionals.

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About this role

Bristol Beacon is looking for an early career This is a fantastic opportunity to play an integral and Creative Assistant to be part of our team preparing creative role working across departments in an exciting for the re-opening of the Bristol Beacon venue. stage of Bristol Beacon’s development.

A Creative Assistant is someone who is part of a team that Supported by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries takes a promising idea for a project and makes it a reality. (WJCB) programme, this role is specifically aimed at The teams work involves generating new ideas and creating people who have experienced social and/or economic the right partnerships and team dynamics to see the barriers to employment in the arts. We welcome project through to final production. That requires creativity, applications from people who have been historically resourcefulness, and a practical approach to each stage of underrepresented in the arts and cultural workforce. the production process. This role is about on the job learning, so you do not need This role sits within our Programme, Development and to have had previous experience working in the arts or in a Marketing teams, so is ideal for those who have creative similar role, just to evidence your interest in a creative role. interests and want to further explore where their arts The role is also designed for someone at the beginning of interests might lie and gain an understanding of what it is their career, with between two and five years of experience like to work within an arts venue. since leaving school.

The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in producing or As part of the WJCB programme the selected candidate programming artistic/creative events in their widest sense will attend a series of professional development events and will have an enthusiasm for beginning a career in an arts alongside their cohort of 50 Fellows, and these are designed venue or creative organisation. to support learning across our organisation, and to support your future development. The successful candidate will also receive mentoring support once in post.

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About this role

You will use your experiences and receive training This will include learning about: and support to input into three areas: • How community arts projects are run • How exhibitions are planned and delivered 1. The development of Bristol Beacon’s new artistic (particularly in a new space) programme and re-opening season •  H ow to create meaningful relationships with This will include learning about: communities and individuals.

•  How a music venue builds up a programme of music At the end of the placement, you will have: •  How to approach artists and agents •  How to understand a technical specification for a show •  H elped to create and run a community arts project •  How to use events management systems • Researched a part of Bristol Beacon’s story and •  How to market and promote concerts thought about how this will be presented in the final interpretation design At the end of the placement, you will have: • Made contacts with community groups and understood

how to work with them in a specific way. •  Programmed an event from start to finish •  Inputted into at least one festival 3. The implementation of the new Bristol Beacon brand •  Run a show in collaboration with the technical team across the organisation •  Created a digital marketing campaign for a concert •  Commissioned artwork for a concert from start to finish This will include learning about:

•  E valuated the success of a show from an artistic and • Creating and writing copy for promotional material marketing point of view. •  C reating engaging social media posts • How a brand is brought alive in an organisation. 2. The development of our new heritage programme and display materials, working with community groups and At the end of the placement, you will have: partners to co-create content which will enable people to connect with the venues 150-year history. •  C ommissioned artwork for a project from start to finish • An understanding of how the brand is implemented across multiple platforms.

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Who we are looking for

We are looking for an individual who can bring a diverse •  Is interested in Bristol’s different communities and is open range of experience and skills and adapt them to the role. to becoming actively involved in building relationships These skills could come from work experience, but they do with them not have to – they could be from what you do in your spare •  Is enthusiastic about the history of music in Bristol and time but tell us how they can be applied in work. telling the story of Bristol Beacon • Is open and welcoming and enjoys conversations For example, do you have an Instagram page or use social about culture media for personal use, have you organised a social occasion • Enjoys a challenge, meeting new people and learning like a birthday party or a music event for friends or as part of as a team a college society? If yes tell us all about it! •  Is skilled in organising and planning ahead, for projects and your own workload Experience, skills, and values • Has an eagerness to try new things, make mistakes and learn with people We are looking for someone who: • Good written and verbal communication skills • Can demonstrate a strong interest in music and live • Ability to think creatively and problem solve music events •  Good knowledge of and use of social media and •  H as some knowledge of Bristol’s music scene IT confident •  H as some knowledge/experience and interest in •  Ability to work with attention to detail programming or producing events •  V alues diversity and the skills, experience, and •  H as an interest and perhaps experience of marketing and backgrounds of others promoting events •  Is interested in how music can bring people together

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Eligibility for the Weston Jerwood creative bursary programme

This role is specifically aimed at emerging arts creatives, Jerwood Arts advocates for the arts and cultural sectors to who have experienced social and economic barriers to be more equitable and inclusive places to work. employment in the arts, and applicants must: Alongside this recruitment pack, please read the information about the WJCB Programme on the Jerwood • Have the legal right to work in the UK. Arts website to help guide your decision to apply: • Not be in full-time education (12 hours or more of formal jerwoodarts.org/projects/weston-jerwood-creative- study a week). bursaries-2020-22/ • Have been working for between 2 and 5 years since Here you will find the Fellows Introduction to the leaving school (not necessarily in the arts, but you will Programme in a variety of formats. need to demonstrate your interest in the arts) • Experienced socio-economic challenges, and/or be from a disadvantaged background. • Be willing to take part in the WJCB Professional Development Programme

This role is designed for someone at the beginning of their career, with between two and five years of experience. We recognise that you may have faced barriers to working in the arts previously and we welcome applications from those who may not have taken a traditional route and from those for whom arts and culture may not be their first career route.

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How to apply

Please apply by answering the following questions. Part 3 Please send your responses to [email protected] with the email subject – Application for Creative Please also download and complete our Equal Opportunities Assistant (WJCB). Diversity Monitoring Form and the WJCB Monitoring Form available on our website at: You can apply in the form that suits you best, either in a bristolbeacon.org/about-us/jobs-and-opportunities/ word document, by video, or an audio file. Our HR inbox Please include both forms with your application. is monitored only by our People Manager. Further information Part 1 Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams and 1.  T ell us a little about yourself and your career journey and are likely to happen in early March. Please let our People why this opportunity is interesting and important to you Manager know if you have any access needs as part of this at this stage in your career. application process. 2. Tell us about a previous project that showcases your relevant experience and that you are particularly proud Reasonable adjustments will be made for applicants if of. This can include any transferable skills that match the required, please contact us if you have any needs and scope of the role. disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria 3.  D escribe an event that you attended that particularly for the role, will be offered an interview. inspired you, what was it that moved you. 4.  T ell us how you build relationships with others and enjoy We usually offer mentors who can give support to applicants learning and working together as part of a team. who may not have worked in a cultural organisation before 5.  P lease add anything else you would like to tell us about and would like some advice as to how to articulate their yourself (max 500 words). experience and how it is transferable. For this role, the application process is designed to support you to be able to Part 2 do this more easily though the use of this pack.

Please also let us know your: However, you can contact our People Manager • Name [email protected] with any questions you may have • Address around the application process and we will support you as • Email much as we can with these. •  C ontact phone number • Current location •  C urrent education/working/other situation

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What this role offers

Annual Salary: £19,500.00

Hours: 37 hours per week can be offered, but hours can be agreed

Employment: Fixed-term, 12-month Contract

Annual Leave: 24 days per year, plus bank holidays. Our leave year runs from 1 April – 31 March.

Place of Work: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol BS1 5AR. Under normal circumstances we are mainly office based and this role would be based at Bristol Beacon in central Bristol. At the moment most staff are working remotely at home and we can talk to you more about what this looks like and the support we can give you around this at interview stage.

Jerwood Participation in the personal development programmes Fellowship: as organised by Jerwood Arts. This will be part of your working time and your costs for any in-person attendance will be covered.

Benefits: Contributory pension scheme, with a 5% employer contribution and a minimum 4% employee contribution. The scheme is operated as a salary exchange (sacrifice) scheme.

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Checklist to apply for the role

• Do you understand the recruitment pack and recruitment process?

• Are you familiar with the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursary Scheme information?

• Do you meet the eligibility criteria?

• Have you completed the application questions?

• Have you completed the WJCB monitoring form?

• Have you completed the Bristol Beacon monitoring form?

Once you have checked all the items on this list, that’s it, you are ready to submit your application.

Thank you for taking the time to apply and we wish you the very best of luck with your application!

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