Artistic Director: Liverpool, UK

Independent Theatre Council Ltd; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

20 Stories High in Liverpool is seeking an Artistic Director to shape its artistic future in partnership with the Executive Director, Associate Director and the team. You will champion new voices, develop artists aged 13–30 and communities, and lead co-creation, inclusion and wellbeing as core practices.

The role invites someone from within the Liverpool City Region with a strong commitment to community engagement.

Qualifications

• Ambitious artistic leader with a distinctive voice and passion for bold, high-quality work.
• Believes in theatre and creativity to inspire change.
• Curious, inventive and excited by experimentation and new ideas.
• Shares practice and contributes to the wider cultural sector.
• Leads with generosity, integrity and care; builds collaborative relationships.
• Experiences making work with young people and/or communities.
• Values co-creation and collaborative practice.
• Creates inclusive, accessible work reaching diverse audiences.
• Thinks strategically and balances artistic ambition with organisational thinking.
• Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.
• Ready to help shape the future of a growing organisation.
• Will work with Chair and Trustees to maximise involvement.
• Explores new income and fundraising to deepen and broaden work.

Responsibilities

• Shape the artistic future of 20 Stories High in partnership with the leadership team.
• Champion new voices and develop the next generation of artists.
• Lead co-creation, inclusion and wellbeing in programming.

Skills

Ambitious artistic leader

Distinctive artistic voice

Curious and inventive

Equity and inclusion

Strategic thinking

Job description

Core Details
Job Title: Artistic Director
Organisation: 20 Stories High
Salary: £40,000–£45,000 (Full time equivalent), depending on experience.
Contract: We’re open to discussing full-time, part time or job share arrangements.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week.

The Opportunity

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.

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.

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