Immersive Arts & Studio/Lab Lead

Culture Liverpool; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Culture Liverpool is seeking an Immersive Arts & Studio/Lab Lead to spearhead creative initiatives at FACT Liverpool, enhancing community engagement and driving revenue growth. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and project management skills, fostering opportunities for artists in immersive technologies.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Medical and dental cover

Cycle to work scheme

Access to cultural programs

24/7 employee assistance support

Qualifications

• Experience in producing projects with digital arts and immersive technologies.
• Strong background in managing partnerships and creative spaces.
• Proven ability to secure arts funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Studio/Lab to enhance community engagement and revenue.
• Develop talent programs for digital artists and technologists.
• Manage team and oversee operations of Studio/Lab.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Relationship management

Mentorship

Job description

Job Opportunity: Immersive Arts & Studio/Lab Lead

We are seeking a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial individual to serve as Immersive Arts & Studio/Lab Lead at FACT Liverpool. FACT has an international reputation for producing innovative, ground-breaking exhibitions featuring newly commissioned and produced artworks by artists at all stages of their careers working at the intersection of art and technology. This position will lead our thriving creative space, Studio/Lab (established in 2024), towards continued growth and increased sustainability while developing talent in immersive artworks and experiences.

Closing date: Wednesday 11 June 2025, 23:59

What to expect

The ideal candidate will balance artistic integrity with business acumen, building on Studio/Lab 's successful first year to enhance its position as an incubator supporting digital artists and creative technologists, while expanding its financial model.

Studio/Lab is a creative community experimenting with digital technologies. It serves as an incubator for immersive, sound, moving image and gamified art research and production. Studio/Lab provides members and residents with access to entry level immersive technologies, digital production tools, video editing and podcast suites, while fostering critical engagement with technology's role in society. There are currently 35 paying artist members, working across different digital disciplines. In the last year, we’ve produced five new commissions and supported over 50 artists.

Salary: £34,000 per annum

Hours of work: 35 hours per week (1 FTE) and as necessary to fulfil the scope of responsibilities within the post. This may involve some weekend and evening work and hours can be flexible to accommodate this.

Contract: Fixed-term contract for 2 years. Potential to extend subject to funding

Holiday entitlement: 31 days (pro-rata) including bank holidays rising to 33 after two years’ service.

What we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Access to FACT's vibrant cultural programme and network
• 24/7 telephone employee assistance support service, private
• Medical and dental cover
• Cycle to work scheme

Deliverables / Expectations

Strategic Leadership and Development

• Create a strategy that expands our creative community while maximising revenue through the strategic use of Studio/Lab facilities
• Build and nurture a diverse community of artists, researchers and technologists
• Develop strategies to build Studio/Lab's capacity for creative R&D and IP innovation
• Consider other income-generating opportunities that align with FACT’s brand
• Curate professional development opportunities to foster technical skills, creative exploration, critical engagement, and career and enterprise skills
• Identify and nurture funding opportunities and partnerships
• Evaluate and report on Studio/Lab's impact
• Research and champion ecologically sustainable approaches to creative practice

Immersive Arts Talent Development

• Design and implement talent development programmes for artists working with digital production tools and immersive technologies, including residencies, mentorships, and incubator programmes
• Support FACT's core artistic disciplines: immersive interactive exhibitions (including the use of XR/AR/VR), game engine art, experimental sound, and film/moving image
• Facilitate skills development workshops and cross-disciplinary exchanges
• Oversee open call processes for residency opportunities
• Support residents in developing practices and producing prototypes and new works

Management and Partnerships

• Work with the Head of Programme and Head of Business & Operations to explore revenue-generating models for presenting new immersive artworks
• Manage funder relationships with the Head of Development, including setting KPIs and managing budgets and reporting
• Nurture existing partnerships while establishing new collaborations with HEIs, tech companies and cultural organisations
• Represent FACT and Studio/Lab with partners and at external events
• Manage a team including two part-time Producers who handle day-to-day operations and member support
• Oversee systems and processes for running Studio/Lab, including booking systems, risk management, safeguarding, membership feedback, and code of conduct
• Work collaboratively with FACT's Exhibitions team to develop showcase opportunities for members, Learning team to integrate young people’s initiatives, Marketing & Communications team, and Visitor Services team

The responsibilities listed should not be regarded as exhaustive or inclusive as there may be other duties associated with the job that FACT will require the post holder to perform.

Required skills and experience:

• Experience of producing projects with artists and creatives experimenting with digital production and immersive technology tools
• Experience of relationship management and working within partnership projects
• Experience in creative space management with team leadership capabilities
• Experience managing budgets
• Track record in mentoring talent and implementing skills development programmes.
• Understanding of how artists work and the support that they need to develop new work
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, access, and diversity
• Success in securing arts funding and managing funded projects
• Knowledge of contemporary digital arts and interest in critical technology discourse

Desirable skills and experience:

• Established connections within the immersive arts, gaming and/or film sectors
• Experience with Higher Education Institution partnerships

How to apply

To apply, please complete the following two forms:

FACT is committed to providing equal access, so if you require any additional support during the application process, please contact our HR Administrator: [e-mail]

Key Dates

Closing date: Wednesday 11 June 2025, 23:59

Interviews week starting: 18 and 19 June 2025

Ideal Start date: 1 July 2025

Everyone is Welcome

FACT Liverpool cares about diversity in the workplace and sector. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly from candidates who have Black, Asian or Global Ethnic Majority heritage, who identify as disabled, LGBTQIA+, and/or who are from lower socio-economic backgrounds. You can read our policy for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: fact.co.uk/edi

Disability Confident Employer

We are proud to be a disability confident employer which is a government scheme supporting employers in ensuring disabled people, and those with long term health conditions, are able reach their full potential within their organisation. The scheme will help us to ensure we are doing our very best in increasing our reach when recruiting and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to be a part of our team. All candidates will be asked if they wish to declare a disability on the application form for a vacancy at FACT Liverpool. You can read our Disability Confident Commitments in more detail here: fact.co.uk/disabilityconfident

Studio/Lab is made possible with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies through the Digital Accelerator Programme, and The Foyle Foundation.

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