Studio Manager
Matt Black Barn Closing date: Sat, 29 Aug 2026
- Full time
- £30k-£40k
- Apply now
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 "> published -
Job Description
The Studio Manager will run the day-to-day operational life
of the studio, keeping the archive, inventory, and systems in order, so that the artists and the wider team can focus on practice and exhibitions. Much of this role is exacting and unglamorous but the successful candidate will be close to the work, trusted by the artists,
and a central part of what MBB is building. View full description here.
Job Requirements
Essential
Experience in an artist's studio, gallery, or comparable organisation
Ability to take ownership and lead on operational responsibilities
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, archives and databases
Confident communicator with galleries, collectors, and institutions
Confident writer - texts about artworks, artist's statements, client emails
Full working knowledge of Artlogic or comparable CRM systems
Practical, calm under pressure, across admin and hands-on tasks
Discretion, good judgement, desire to fulfil the artists' ambitions
Willingness to work on-site in West Sussex. Full driving licence
Desirable
Interest in sculpture practice across a wide range of materials
Experience with funding applications, grant writing, and ACE applications
Experience producing commission pitches for outdoor artworks
Interest in building, land, learning, and the natural environment
Experience in artwork sales or collector relationship management
Job Responsibilities
Maximise the pleasures and excitements of making sculpture alongside Andrew and Laura
Take responsibility for day-to-day studio running and logistics for exhibitions and commissions
Liaise with foundries, fabricators, shippers, and registrars; oversee transport, storage, and insurance
Manage the Artlogic database: artwork records, contacts, consignments, provenance, edition tracking, and pricing
Manage the physical and digital archive including photography and consistent folder
structures
Act as key point of contact for galleries, collectors, and institutional partners
Manage correspondence and diary coordination across MBB Studios and MBB CIC
Keep MBB and artist's websites current; maintain press archive; contribute to
Instagram
Support invoicing and financial record-keeping via Artlogic and Xero; liaise with external accountants
Support occasional funding applications for MBB CIC and the artist's opportunities
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: Studio Manager
- Salary: £30k-£40k
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Visual arts
- Role: Admin, Secretarial & PA
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Sat, 29 Aug 2026
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Location:
| view on Google MapsSouth East
Job: Studio Manager
Job: Studio Manager
Organisation: Matt Black Barn
Postcode: PO18 8RQ
How to Apply
Send applications to [email protected] by 29 August 2026. Applications should include a CV, a minimum of 500 words describing your current situation and why you feel you are a good fit for the role, and an indication of preparedness to live within a 30 mile radius of MBB.
- Contact name: Andrew Sabin
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Matt Black Barn
Matt Black Barn (MBB) is the working home and studios of sculptors Laura Ford and Andrew Sabin, set across 15 acres of meadow, lake, and woodland near Chichester. The site contains 13,000 sq ft of studio and sculpture storage space and the land is used as a testing
ground for experimental outdoor sculpture. Alongside sculpture making the studios run an education programme for schools and universities.
The artists have both had 40-year careers punctuated by numerous solo museum and gallery exhibi