Artistic Director

University of the Arts London; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident Employer

Equal Opportunities Employer

Job summary

20 Stories High in Liverpool seeks an Artistic Director to shape the future of theatre with and for young people and local communities. You will work with the Executive Director, Associate Director and our team to champion new voices, develop artists, and lead ambitious, boundary-pushing work that reflects the places we work.

This leadership role values co-creation, inclusion and wellbeing, requires immersion in Liverpool’s creative life, and a commitment to equity, diversity and opportunity for

Qualifications

• No single route to artistic leadership; seeks vision, imagination and potential to lead next chapter.
• Values co-creation and collaborative artistic practice; inclusive and accessible work.

Responsibilities

• Lead boldly with generosity, integrity and care.
• Build strong relationships with artists, partners and teams.
• Champion emerging artists and creative talent.
• Balance artistic ambition with organisational thinking; shape income and fundraising.

Skills

Artistic leadership

Vision and imagination

Co-creation

Inclusion and wellbeing

Strategic thinking

Building connections

Job description

Hours Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week.

This role is about shaping the artistic future of 20 Stories High in partnership with the Executive Director, Associate Director and the team. Championing new voices, developing the next generation of artists and ensuring our work continues to challenge, celebrate and reflect the communities we work alongside.

Co-creation, inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We want a leader who shares these values while bringing fresh artistic thinking, ambitious ideas and the confidence to lead change.

Our work is rooted in relationships, so we believe our Artistic Director should live in, or within easy daily reach of the Liverpool City Region. We want someone who will immerse themselves in the creative life of the city: building connections, discovering artists and helping shape Liverpool’s cultural future.

At the heart of this role are two ambitions:

• To create bold, ambitious theatre and artistic experiences with and for young people (aged 13–30) and communities (meaning excluded community groups of any age).

To champion culturally diverse, working class, d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ artists, opening doors, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for the next generation of creatives and leaders.

Skills and Experience Required

Person Specification

There is no single route to artistic leadership. We’re looking for someone with the vision, imagination and potential to lead our next chapter. If you don’t meet every point below but believe you’re the right person for the role, we encourage you to apply. We will work collaboratively with the right candidate to identify any training and development needs as part of the induction of the role. Resource will be available for training, coaching and mentoring.

We’re looking for someone who:

Is an ambitious artistic leader

• Has a distinctive artistic voice and a passion for creating bold, high-quality work.
• Believes in the power of theatre and creativity to inspire change.
• Is curious, inventive and excited by experimentation, and new ideas.
• Shares our practice and contributes to the wider cultural sector.
• Can create art and opportunities that has a global appeal while honouring local roots and communities.

Creates with and for young people and communities

• Has experience of making work with young people and/or communities.
• Values co-creation and collaborative artistic practice.
• Creates work that is inclusive, accessible and reaches diverse audiences.

Inspires and supports others

• Leads creatively with generosity, integrity and care.
• Builds strong, collaborative relationships with artists, partners and teams.
• Champions the development of emerging artists and creative talent.

Thinks strategically

• Can balance artistic ambition with organisational thinking.
• Shares our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.
• Is excited by helping shape the future of a growing organisation.
• Works with our Chair and Trustees to maximise their involvement and contribution.
• Explores and discovers new ways to develop our income and fundraising so we can deepen and build on our work.

Disability Confident Employer

We can confirm that we are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1-3) who can welcome a wide-range of disabled applicants within our level of training.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and caring responsibility. We are committed to offering a working environment where everyone is valued and feels appreciated.