Communications and Campaign Manager

CVAN is seeking a passionate and dedicated visual art professional to manage the lobbying, advocacy and sector communication for and on behalf of the Network in England. We are seeking an individual who is passionate about our sector, understand its value and wants to see reform.

This role is part of the Baltic’s national sector development plan, and is contracted through the charity, managed by the Director but sits outside the core business of the BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art. This post is anticipated as a freelance role as we lead the next two years of constituting CVAN as an independent body.

About

CVAN is a sector support and advocacy organisation that represents a diverse visual arts community of artists, creative practitioners, and arts organisation, institutions and art galleries across nine regions in England.

The network is representative of the whole of England’s visual arts sector, bringing together individuals ranging from artists, independent creative professionals including technical professionals, academics, students, National Portfolio Organisations and organisations (including studio providers) with investment models outside of NPO and ACE funding. CVAN’s representation of the whole visual arts ecology means that it can consider and articulate the individual segments of the sector in relation to its whole.

Current Organisation Strategic Aims

• To ensure a sustained future for the wide ecology of the visual arts in England

• To be representative of and to amplify the voices of the wider ecology of the visual arts in England

Wider Context

During the pandemic CVAN has forged a Visual Arts Alliance in collaboration with Artists ‘Union England, a-n The Artists Information Company, Artquest, AxisWeb, Curator Space, DACS, Engage, and Guild. The Alliance is a new sector support development to collectively work together in ensuring the survival of our art form and deal with urgent sector reforms.

In 2019, CVAN worked with Policy Connect and this Autumn will launch its review of the visual arts to parliament including lobbying for continued need of the Museums, Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief.

The organisation is reviewing its structure to consider a federated model by 2022.

The Role

Job Purpose:

The Communications & Campaigns Manager will play a key role in developing and delivering our communications and driving our campaigning activity to achieve our objectives.

This will include engaging a diverse range of audiences, including policy makers in London and nationally, and the many individuals and organisations working in the Arts and Cultural sector.

They will work with the National Chair’s Group, CVAN team and nine regions to develop strategic and high impact advocacy and professional development activities that will bring forward positive change and professional development for the visual arts sector. The role is ideally suited to someone who wishes to take the next step in their career and use their skills and experience to make an impact in a small but highly focused team.

Key Tasks

• Oversee an effective and strategic communications plan which raises the visibility of the network and wider sector and builds awareness of the public value of contemporary art

• Lead the development and delivery of our media relations and to manage media enquiries

• Development and delivery of digital communications, including website, social media channels and other communications, in order to expand, and inform the Network

• Support the Director to develop relationships with parliamentarians and other stakeholder organisations to raise awareness of key issues and support campaigning activity

• Work in partnership with the Policy and Research Partners to develop key messages and briefings to ensure consistency and maximise the impact of the campaigns

• To develop relationships and work in partnership with other organisations on joint communications and campaigning activity

• To support the Director with other communications and campaigning tasks, such as communications with our member organisations, preparation of briefings and presentations, and other tasks as required.

Other responsibilities:

• To represent and promote the Network and its work positively in all internal and external dealings

• To attend as appropriate and participate in internal meetings of the organisation, including staff meetings, organisational meetings and away days.

• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as deemed appropriate by the Director

• To ensure that the organisation’s equal opportunities, diversity and environmental policies are applied in the work of the post holder.

Knowledge, skills & experience:

Essential:

• A demonstrable passion and commitment for the contemporary visual arts

• A confident, brave and considered advocate

• A track record of developing relationships with journalists, creating eye catching and impactful campaigns that deliver results and using digital channels to engage and develop supporters and build momentum for change

• A natural collaborator able to develop meaningful, positive partnerships

• Experience of developing and delivering multi-channel communications plans designed to achieve measurable outputs and outcomes.

• Experience of developing content for and managing websites and online communications and using social media to develop and expand online communities.

• Excellent oral and written communication and numeracy skills and a confident presenter.

• Good computer skills including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Desirable:

• A professional track record working in contemporary visual arts

• Knowledge and experience in policy contexts, influencing and advocacy

• Strong networks across the visual arts, wider arts and creative industries and local and national agencies/government settings

• Experience of working in multi-functional teams and partnerships with other organisations.

Application Process:

Deadline for application to info@cvan.art by Monday 5 October at 9am.

• Cover letter (2 pages max) outlining interest in the role and relevant experience that meets the requirements of the role

• CV (3 pages max)

• Both documents saved as a pdf.

For more information about the role email paula@cvan.art

Interviews to take place on Zoom week of 19th October

CVAN is committed to inclusivity and welcomes applications that reflect our diverse communities irrespective of disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

Opportunity Type

Employment

Contact Name

Paula Orrell

Contact Email

paula@cvan.art

Website

https://baltic.art/

Start Date

7th September 2020

Closing Date

5th October 2020