Artistic Programmer

Bridgwater Town Council; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Bridgwater Town Council is seeking an Artistic Programmer to lead the development and coordination of a diverse artistic programme across Bridgwater Arts Centre and Town Hall Theatre. Working with the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager, you will research artists, negotiate bookings and build relationships with agents and producers.

The role requires strong programming judgement, budget awareness and the ability to balance artistic ambition with audience demand, while delivering within allocated

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of programming, booking, producing or coordinating live performance.
• Experience of working with artists, agents, promoters or touring companies.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the live performance sector.
• Experience negotiating fees, bookings or commercial arrangements.
• Experience working with budgets and assessing financial viability of events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a diverse programme of live performance across Bridgwater venues.
• Identify artists, productions and touring opportunities and assess suitability and viability.
• Negotiate with artists, agents and promoters and manage booking process from enquiry to contract.
• Monitor ticket sales and financial performance to inform planning.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications to promote programmed events.

Skills

Programming live performance

Booking coordination

Artist relations

Negotiation

Budget awareness

Audience development

Forward planning

Independent working

Job description

Place of Work: Bridgwater Town Hall and Bridgwater Arts Centre

Reports to: Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager

Hours: 20 hours per week

Management Responsibility: None

Applications must be received by 02.10.26

Interviews will be held on 12.10 and/or 13.10.26.

A. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Working closely with the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager, the Artistic Programmer will lead the day-to-day development and coordination of a diverse, inclusive, engaging and financially sustainable artistic programme across Bridgwater Arts Centre and Bridgwater Town Hall Theatre.

The postholder will provide specialist programming expertise, researching and identifying artists, performers, productions and touring opportunities; developing relationships with agents, promoters and producers; assessing artistic and commercial suitability; and progressing opportunities from initial research through to agreed booking.

The Artistic Programmer will work within the Council's Cultural Strategy, business plan objectives and agreed programming budgets. The Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager will retain overall strategic, budgetary and service accountability.

The role will also contribute specialist programming knowledge to wider Council cultural and community activity where appropriate.

Bridgwater Town Council welcomes applications from individuals wishing to deliver the post on a shared basis. Where appropriate, responsibilities may be divided according to artistic specialism and experience.

B. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Artistic Programming

• Develop and maintain a diverse, high-quality programme of live performance, entertainment and cultural activity across both venues.
• Research and identify artists, performers, productions, touring companies and other creative opportunities appropriate to Bridgwater audiences.
• Work with the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager to translate the business plan objectives into a forward artistic programme.
• Balance artistic ambition, commercial viability, community benefit, accessibility and audience demand when developing programming proposals.
• Identify opportunities to support local and emerging talent and introduce audiences to new cultural experiences.
• Maintain an appropriate forward programme to support effective operational, financial and marketing planning.

Artist, Agent & Promoter Relationships

• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with artists, agents, promoters, producers, touring companies and cultural organisations.
• Act as a key day-to-day contact for artistic programming enquiries and opportunities.
• Proactively identify suitable touring work and maintain awareness of sector developments, emerging artists and audience trends.
• Attend relevant performances, showcases and networking opportunities where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships, collaborative programming and relationships with other cultural organisations and venues.

Booking & Commercial Management

• Manage the day-to-day programming process from initial research and enquiry through to agreed booking.
• Liaise and negotiate with artists, agents and promoters regarding availability, fees, guarantees, ticket-sale splits and other proposed terms.
• Assess potential bookings for artistic suitability, audience potential, operational deliverability and financial viability.
• Prepare or contribute to event projections, considering artist costs, ticket pricing, anticipated sales, capacity and relevant delivery costs.
• Work within agreed programming budgets and delegated authority, referring decisions requiring approval to the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager.
• Work closely with the Bookings Officer to ensure agreed bookings progress efficiently through contracting, administration and record keeping.
• Monitor ticket sales and financial performance and identify risks or opportunities to the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager.

Audience Development & Marketing

• Use ticketing data, attendance, audience feedback and previous event performance to inform future programming decisions.
• Identify opportunities to develop existing audiences and attract new audiences.
• Consider accessibility, affordability, representation and barriers to participation when developing the programme.
• Work closely with the Communications Team to support effective marketing and promotion of programmed events.
• Provide accurate and timely programme, artist and promotional information to relevant colleagues.

Operational Delivery

• Work collaboratively with the Deputy Arts Centre Manager, Bookings Officer, technical teams and other colleagues to ensure programmed activity can be delivered effectively.
• Consider technical requirements, venue capacity, staffing, scheduling and accessibility when assessing potential bookings.
• Ensure operational colleagues receive appropriate information about upcoming events and visiting companies.
• Identify potential programming or delivery issues at an early stage and work collaboratively to resolve them.
• Provide artist and promoter liaison where specialist programming knowledge is required.

Monitoring, Partnerships & Development

• Monitor and evaluate programme performance using ticket sales, attendance, income, audience feedback and other relevant information.
• Use evaluation and market intelligence to inform future programming recommendations.
• Develop positive relationships with cultural organisations, community partners and other venues.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative programming, partnerships and wider cultural activity.
• Contribute to strengthening Bridgwater's cultural profile and support wider Council-led cultural and community initiatives where programming expertise would add value.
• Provide information and analysis to support the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager with service and Council reporting.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carry out duties in accordance with Bridgwater Town Council policies, procedures and delegated authority.
• Ensure no contractual or financial commitment is entered into without appropriate authority.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within programming.
• Support the Council's environmental and sustainability objectives.
• Take reasonable care for health and safety and work with operational colleagues to identify and manage relevant risks.
• Represent Bridgwater Town Council professionally when working with artists, agents, promoters, partners and members of the community.
• Maintain accurate records and appropriately manage confidential and commercially sensitive information.
• Work flexibly where required, including occasional evening and weekend activity associated with performances, showcases and sector events.
• Undertake other duties reasonably required and commensurate with the nature and level of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience of programming, booking, producing or coordinating live performance, entertainment, arts or cultural activity.
• Experience of working with artists, agents, promoters, producers or touring companies.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the live performance, entertainment or cultural sector.
• Experience of negotiating fees, bookings or commercial arrangements.
• Experience of working with budgets and assessing the financial viability of events or programming.
• Understanding of the relationship between programming, audiences, marketing and ticket sales.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within arts and cultural activity.
• Strong artistic and creative judgement.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance artistic ambition with audience demand, community benefit and financial sustainability.
• Strong negotiation, communication and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent organisation and forward-planning skills.
• Ability to interpret financial, ticketing and audience information.
• Ability to work independently within agreed authority while working collaboratively with the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager and wider venue team.
• Experience of programming across multiple art forms or entertainment genres.
• Experience within a theatre, arts centre, receiving venue or similar cultural organisation.
• Experience of theatre, music, comedy, family entertainment, festival or community arts programming.
• Existing professional networks within the arts, entertainment or touring sectors.
• Experience of audience development and using ticketing data to inform programming.
• Experience of partnership or collaborative cultural activity.
• Experience of working within local government, a charity or community-focused organisation.