The Sidney Nolan Trust, at The Rodd in rural Herefordshire on the Welsh Marches, engages in a wide range of creative and artistic activities in furtherance of its mission to promote an appreciation of Sidney Nolan’s important contribution to modern art, his artistic legacy and his vision for The Rodd to create an important centre for art and music.

Over the last decade the Trust has hosted many highly successful creative initiatives often funded by the Arts Council England and other external supporters.  The extensive programme of activity has encompassed exhibitions of Sidney Nolan’s work and that of other artists; also music recitals, performances, masterclasses, artist residencies, courses and workshops, community outreach programmes, school group visits, lectures and symposia.  We now find ourselves in the exciting position of defining a new cultural strategy for 2020-2023.  This role will be central to helping define and implement an artistic vision which reflects Sidney’s personal approach to his art namely for it to be experimental, modern and very often, collaborative.

The Trust’s activities are principally centred upon The Rodd, but are also delivered at locations throughout the UK. The Trust’s facilities include a range of medieval and modern agricultural buildings. Some have already been converted for use as a Gallery, Trust offices, a Print Workshop, a vast flexible workspace, and accommodation for visiting artists and students. One of Sidney’s Nolan’s studios, left untouched since his death, has been restored and curated for the public to see. In addition, The Rodd’s idyllic setting includes a 180-acre working organic farm, river frontages and some 70 acres of historic woodland.

From 2020 onwards the Trust’s creative programme may also occupy Sir Sidney’s former home, Rodd Court, a Grade II* listed 17th Century manor house. The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund are currently providing funding to help the Trust establish a long term vision for Rodd Court.  This potentially exciting additional venue presents the Trust with the opportunity to undertake activities, not previously possible when the house was in private ownership.

This newly created post will join the current Trust team, consisting of the Director, Office Co-ordinator, Learning Programme Co-ordinator, Project Co-ordinator and Groundsperson. All will offer appropriate support to the creative programme when required.  The team is also supported by a committed group of volunteers who support the exhibitions, learning programmes and other events organised by the Trust.

To take on this role and the challenge it presents, you must be:

  • A self-starter with a passion for public engagement and learning, also the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
  • Ability to think creatively to convert ideas into imaginative, innovative and engaging experiences.
  • Ability to engage with diverse audiences across a wide ability and age ranges.
  • Ability to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising of workloads to meet project deadlines and achieve results.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the Director in creating and implementing the Trust’s creative programme including the Trust’s learning activities and music events.
  • Develop existing and new community partnerships.
  • Establish new relationships with creative providers including artists, musicians, students, tutors.
  • Support the Director in applying to potential funders to the programme in the context of the wider fundraising strategy put in place by the Director.
  • Work with colleagues to engage volunteers wishing to support the creative programme.

In this role you will be required to:

Creative Programme

  • Support the Director in delivering the Trust’s annual exhibition programme. This to involve
    • Being a part of the Creative Programme Advisory Group
    • Helping source exhibition materials and content
    • Assisting with the hanging of exhibitions
  • Develop a series of associated activities that engage audiences with each exhibition. Such activities may include:
    • Lectures and talks
    • Recitals
    • Poetry readings
    • Creative workshops
    • Farm visits
    • Woodland walks
  • Establish and monitor an annual programme of artistic workshops. These workshops may include:
    • Print making
    • Painting & Drawing
    • Sculpture
    • Music
    • Writing
    • Crafting
    • Drama/Performance
  • Identify potential tutors to deliver these workshops and ensure their requirements needed to deliver their workshop are in line with the Trust’s budgeting and health and safety policies.
  • Manage other commercial events planned as necessary.

Learning Programme

  • Support the Sidney Nolan Trust’s vision of engaging people with the arts by developing and delivering the Trust’s annual Learning Programme. This includes school children, students, members of the general public and specific community groups. It will require you to:
    • Take the lead in developing and delivering an exciting series of on-site or in-school workshops for school children of all ages.
    • Taking the lead in developing innovative programmes for engaging university/college students
    • Be the primary lead in liaising with universities/colleges wishing to use The Rodd as a base for their artist summer camps to ensure their creative experience is maximised.
    • Establishing strong links with communities locally and across the West Midlands and mid Wales to engage them in bespoke community events at The Rodd
  • Be the primary point of contact for artists who have been granted a residency at The Trust, ensuring they have the materials and spaces they need to deliver their work, and supporting them while on site at The Rodd.

Music Programming

  • Support the Director and the Creative Programming Advisory Group in establishing an annual music programme at The Rodd.  This to include:
    • Helping to identify potential performers
    • Taking the lead in the Trust’s participation in the annual Presteigne Music Festival
    • Liaising with performers so their performance requirements are met by the Trust.

Public Consultation

  • Support the Project Co-ordinator in delivering of a range of public consultation events to canvass and collect the opinions from different stakeholder groups on the future potential for Rodd Court and the wider role of the Trust.

Advertising and Publicity

  • In the context of the Trust’s wider marketing plan, undertake responsibility for the advertising and publicity of the entire creative programme to appropriate audiences, thereby ensuring awareness and to encouraging foot fall and participation.  This to include:
    • Advertising in local and regional press
    • Liaising with journalists and photographers
    • Preparing and distributing marketing materials such as flyers and posters promoting the creative programme
    • Ensuring the Trust’s website and social media is kept up to date and accurate with regard to information on the creative programme and its dissemination to our key audiences.

Monitor and Evaluation

  • Establish best practice monitoring and evaluation frameworks so the outcomes of key activities within the creative and learning programme can be recognised and, where necessary, improved upon as each future activity is developed.
  • Fundraising
  • Work with the Director in applying to potential funders of the creative programme in line with the wider fundraising strategy established by the Director.
  • Manage the relationships, including the delivery of any grant conditions, with all creative programme funders in line with the donor stewardship plan put in place across the organisation.

Volunteers

  • Work closely with the Office Co-ordinator to manage and develop a committed team of volunteers who can help deliver the learning and exhibition programme. This to include:
    • Supporting the recruitment of volunteers who have the necessary skills to help deliver the programme
    • Engaging with them to ensure they feel welcome, valued and well trained at all times

General

  • Manage annual income and expenditure budgets allocated to the creative programme.  This to include:
    • Annual budget input
    • Monthly financial reviews and management reporting
  • Support the wider work of the Creative Programme Advisory Group and individual members of the group who are taking the lead in an aspect of the Trust’s creative programme.
  • Maintain and manage all the Trust’s arts equipment, in particular its printers and the studios in which they are housed.
  • Ensure that contracts and arrangements for artists and freelancers engaged on the creative and learning programmes are prepared and agreed.
  • Undertake risk assessments, in line with established Trust standards, for each activity to ensure participant safety.
  • Monitor and manage all supplies required to deliver the creative and learning programme
  • Support the Director and Trustees in the ongoing strategy to establish a broad range of meaningful relationships with external stakeholders who could help support the Trust’s delivery of its vision.
  • Be an active member of the wider staff team supporting others as and when required especially in times of peak activity.

Essential for The Role

  • At least three years’ experience of developing creative and/or learning programmes
  • Demonstrable knowledge and engagement with contemporary art practice
  • Demonstrable experience in arts education
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to develop relationships with arrange of colleagues, stakeholders and audiences
  • Excellent copy-writing and proofreading skills
  • Experience of managing and recruiting volunteers
  • Experience of managing revenue budgets and resources
  • Knowledge of the wider creative programming undertaken across the cultural sector.
  • University degree or certified level in a relevant field
  • A clean and valid driving licence

Desirable

  • Previous knowledge and experience of the work undertaken by the Sidney Nolan Trust
  • Knowledge of the life and work of Sir Sidney Nolan
  • Knowledge of collections care and conservation procedures

This role is part funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund.

To request and application form please contact the Trust’s Director andrew@sidneynolantrust.org