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Arts Administrator

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Arts Administrator

Arts Administrator Career Details

Arts administrators provide administrative support for cultural organisations or activities such as galleries, museums, theatres, arts festivals, arts centres, arts councils, disability arts organisations, regional arts boards and local authorities.

Arts administrators' responsibilities can cover accountancy, fund-raising, publicity, organising exhibitions, customer care and personnel work, but vary according to the size and type of organisation. In small galleries and arts centres they may cover the whole day to day running of the centre, whereas in larger organisations such as arts boards they may specialise in one area, for example marketing, public relations or education.

Administrators in the Arts Councils and regional arts boards may be involved in creating policies for the arts, developing arts activities, organising education and training and allocating grants and funds.

In local authorities, they may process grant applications and payments, manage venues and events and liaise with local arts organisations.

Administrators for arts centres, theatres, ballet, opera and concert halls may be involved in publicity, accounts, managing programmes of events, dealing with visiting and resident companies, and general office work.

Working Environment

Hours vary widely, but are usually 9am - 5pm. Administrators involved in exhibitions or events may work evenings or weekends.

Arts administrators are usually office-based, although working environments vary widely. Some administrators will spend most of their time in an office, others may need to travel to liaise with artists, other arts organisations or schools.

Arts Administrator Related Skills

To be an arts administrator you should:
  • have an interest in the arts in general, or a particular art form
  • have administrative and computer skills
  • have good written and verbal communication skills
  • be able to organise and prioritise work, solve problems and keep calm under pressure
  • have good time-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
  • be able to work both alone and as part of a team
  • have commercial awareness
  • have an awareness of how to make information accessible to a wide range of people.

Arts Administrator Career Opportunities

Arts administrators work for galleries, museums, arts centres, theatres, performing arts organisations, festivals, disability arts organisations, local authorities and arts councils. There is fierce competition for jobs, especially with the Arts Councils and arts boards.

Promotion within small organisations is unlikely, although administrators can move to larger organisations. Experienced administrators may become arts managers or officers in their area of interest.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Arts Administrator related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

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