Arts Officer

Hatched Recruitment Group; Downpatrick; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is seeking an Arts Officer (Education) on a temporary basis. Based at Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick, you will lead the visual and participatory arts and education programme across the district and work with the Arts Service partners.

You will manage staff, budgets and contracts, report to the Arts Development Manager and ensure delivery of high-quality arts education initiatives, with some evening and weekend commitments required.

Qualifications

• Experience in arts development, arts education or programming, ideally visual and participatory arts.
• Experience of managing staff, budgets and a venue or service.
• Good knowledge of the Northern Ireland arts sector and of artists and practitioners.

Responsibilities

• Planning, delivering and reviewing the visual and participatory arts programme.
• Managing, motivating and appraising the staff who report to you.
• Jointly managing the Arts Service, its resources and the Down Arts Centre building.
• Working with artists, practitioners and partner organisations across the district.
• Preparing budgets and delivering the service within them.
• Preparing business plans, risk registers and reports for Council and committees.
• Negotiating contracts with artists and providers, covering insurance, security and health and safety.
• Designing marketing and audience development for events and seasonal programmes.
• Identifying and bidding for external funding.
• Acting as Duty Officer and keyholder for the arts centre and other venues, including call-outs.

Skills

Arts development

Arts education

Staff management

Budget management

Planning and reporting

Job description

Arts Officer (Education) - Temporary | Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Down Arts Centre, 2-6 Irish Street, Downpatrick BT30 6BP (working across the district)
£21.55 per hour (PAYE)
36 hours per week, with some evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Starting Monday 16 November 2026

Hatched Recruitment Group is recruiting an Arts Officer (Education) for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Culture, Arts, Heritage & Events team. You'll be based at Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick and work across the whole district.

This is a senior role. You'll manage the Arts Service jointly with the Arts Officer (Programming), and lead the visual and participatory arts and education programme. You'll report to the Arts Development Manager.

What you'll be doing:

• Planning, delivering and reviewing the visual and participatory arts programme
• Managing, motivating and appraising the staff who report to you
• Jointly managing the Arts Service, its resources and the Down Arts Centre building
• Working with artists, practitioners and partner organisations across the district
• Preparing budgets and delivering the service within them
• Preparing business plans, risk registers and reports for Council and committees
• Negotiating contracts with artists and providers, covering insurance, security and health and safety
• Designing marketing and audience development for events and seasonal programmes
• Identifying and bidding for external funding
• Acting as Duty Officer and keyholder for the arts centre and other venues, including call-outs

What you'll need:

• Experience in arts development, arts education or programming, ideally visual and participatory arts
• Experience of managing staff, budgets and a venue or service
• A good knowledge of the Northern Ireland arts sector and of artists and practitioners
• Experience of working in partnership with external organisations
• Strong report writing, planning and organisational skills
• A full current driving licence and access to transport
• Availability to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays when required, and to act as keyholder

Experience of funding applications and audience development is a bonus.

What's on offer:

• £21.55 per hour, paid weekly
• Holiday pay accrued in line with statutory entitlement
• Pension auto-enrolment (subject to eligibility)
• A creative leadership role at one of the district's main arts venues

You must be eligible to work in the UK. A Basic Access NI check is required.