I am a
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Community arts worker

Community arts workers help local communities plan and take part in activities like drama, dance, painting and photography.

Average annual salary

£19,000 to £29,000

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Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering

University

To become a community arts worker, you could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • community arts
  • creative expressive therapies
  • art and design
  • community education

You'll usually need to be qualified and experienced in a certain art form, such as visual arts, dance, drama, music or creative writing.

Entry requirements:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You may find a community arts qualification useful for getting a job as an assistant.

You could take a:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Community Arts Administration
  • Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Community Development

Entry requirements:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a cultural learning and participation officer advanced apprenticeship.

This usually takes a year and 6 months to 2 years to complete. It includes a mix of learning in the workplace and studying in a classroom.

Entry requirements:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Volunteering

It's important you get experience before you apply for jobs. You can do this by volunteering which can often lead to paid work.

You can find out about local community arts projects from the arts officer at your local council or by checking:

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you have experience working in the community.

Good examples include working in adult education, art teaching or youth work. Experience of working with disadvantaged or vulnerable groups will also be helpful.

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Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:
  • leadership skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • business management skills
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • knowledge of psychology
  • knowledge of English language
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • maths skills
  • concentration skills
  • a good memory
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What you'll do:

Community arts workers help local communities plan and take part in activities like drama, dance, painting and photography.

As a community arts worker, you could:

  • work with local groups to identify needs and concerns
  • develop new arts groups and activities
  • create artwork and help others develop their ideas
  • advise on grants, sponsorship and other funding options
  • promote activities through adverts, leaflets or social media

Location : You could work in the community, at a library, at a school, at an adult care home or in a prison.

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Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £29,000

These figures are a guide

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Working hours:

37 - 39 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays attending events or appointments

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Career Path:

With experience, you could work freelance and run larger projects with bigger budgets.

In larger organisations, you could move into a more senior or management role.

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