Director
Arts Collective Closing date: Mon, 01 Nov 2027
- Full time
- £40k-£50k
Thu, 12 Nov 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
The Director will lead Arts Collective through its next stage of development, building on the opening of its new home and establishing a clear direction for the years ahead.
This is the organisation's senior executive role, combining artistic and strategic leadership with responsibility for the charity's financial health,people, partnerships and operations.
We are seeking a leader who can connect artistic ambition with sound organisational judgement. You will shape a programme that matters to artists and audiences, secure resources to deliver it and ensure that the scale of activity is realistic for the organisation's capacity. You will work closely with trustees, staff, freelance collaborators, studio holders and partners.
You may bring a strong curatorial practice or experience of leading programmes through other artists and curators. In either case, you will be able to set a clear artistic direction and make informed decisions about quality, relevance and delivery.
Priorities for the first year
- Agree a clear artistic and organisational direction with the Board, informed by artists, staff, audiences and local partners.
- Shape Arts Collective's next five-year business plan with the Board,
connecting artistic ambition, community needs and organisational development with realistic budgets, income targets and staffing requirements.
- Lead the next stage of fundraising and Arts Council England planning, building on the material and commitments handed over.
- Establish a sustainable programme across exhibitions, learning, artist development and public activity.
- Strengthen day-to-day systems, delegation and communication across the organisation.
- Develop audiences, studio relationships and partnerships that deepen Arts Collective's place in Northampton.
For the full job description and person specification, please download the Director Job Pack.
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: Director
- Salary: £40k-£50k
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Visual arts
- Role: Creative
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Mon, 01 Nov 2027
-
Location:
East Midlands
How to Apply
Please send:
- A CV outlining your relevant experience on a maximum of three pages in PDF form.
- A supporting statement of no more than two pages, explaining why you are interested in Arts Collective
and how your experience meets the essential criteria. Please use specific examples.
- Alternative formats such as film or audio recording are also acceptable (up to a maximum of seven
minutes).
- The name and contact details of two referees who will only be contacted following successful
appointment.
Send your application to [email protected], using ‘Director application’ in the subject line.
- Contact name: David Danskin
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Arts Collective
Arts Collective is a contemporary art organisation rooted in Northampton and shaped by artists. Our mission is to support artists at every stage of their careers and to provide free public access to contemporary art. We place artistic practice at the centre of civic life, recognising contemporary art as a vital form of cultural infrastructure shaping public space materially, socially, and politically. Our work spans exhibitions, commissions, archives, studios, residencies, performance and more.