Accessibility Tools

Write a Job Description for a Community Arts Worker

Community Development


Author: Ifor Jones

Introduction

Community Art Graphic
Community Art Graphic

A community arts worker is a generic title that can encompasses a  person who is employed or who volunteers doing a whole range of community arts activity :

  • Undertaking arts e.g. painting, graffiti, photography, sculpture, dance, music production, singing, etc.
  • Teaching others within the community so they can be creatives in any of the above examples or other forms of artistic expression. This can include a mix of groups or targeted groups such as children and young people, older people, people with disabilities, women, BME groups etc.   
  • A combination of the above

Running a centre or community hall where artistic and creative activities can take place – indoors and outdoors 

What’s the activity?

Community Illustrations www.iStock.com
Community Illustrations www.iStock.com

The activity for the learners includes:

  • Researching the typical activities and role of a community arts worker and the skills, competencies, knowledge and experience needed to undertake a role of this kind.
  • Writing a job description (using the headings provided below) for a role in a notional community centre.

Writing a short advert to go alongside the job description that can catch the eye of those interested in this type of work. 

What am I going to do?

How do you want them to do it?

This quest is suited to individual learning rather than group work.

The framework for a job description should follow the headings:

 

What will I learn?

Knowledge Acquired:

  • Knowledge that a community arts worker needs to undertake the role
  • Knowledge of the broader community sector and community development

Skills Acquired:

  • Knowledge of the skills required to be a community worker including qualifications

Attitude Acquired:

  • Knowledge of key aptitudes needed e.g. being creative, being imaginative, ability to communicate effectively using a variety of channels

 

What will I take home?

Would the learners who take on the quest apply for their own jobs? Would they be in a better position to secure such a role or start the training, develop the skills and knowledge to securing and excelling in such a role

Resources

Click each section below to see all resources available.

 

Frontline Worker Toolkit

Aims and Objectives:

  • To guide learners in acquiring knowledge of the key skills, competencies, knowledge and experience required to be employed as a Community Art Worker.
  • To give learners an idea around how skills and experience and knowledge requirements for a role can be captured in a job description and job advert to attract candidates to apply.
  • To inspire leaners to consider a potential careers in community arts.

Top tips:

To guide learners to learning materials referenced and to expand on this through further desktop research.
To guide leaners to visit community arts centres to discuss the role directly with community arts professionals. 

AccessArt: Sharing Visual Arts Inspiration
https;//www.access.org.uk

NSEAD: We ARE THE National Society for Education in Art and Design
https://www.nsead.org