Welcome

Entertaining your community in local government arts management

Introduction
Local government arts officers are involved in the planning, development and delivery of arts events and programmes.  It is their job to contribute to art development initiatives in a local area and widen participation in the arts.

Work Environment
Local government arts officers are office-based, but are also required travel to meetings and events at art venues such as theatres, cinemas, concert halls, galleries, art centres, studios and sometimes museums and libraries.  Some outside working might be required at events such as carnivals and concerts. 

Daily Activities
Local government arts officers have a varied role that may include some or all of the following tasks: 

• devising, planning, promoting and delivering a programme of arts events and initiatives, which could include concerts, festivals, children's theatre, exhibitions and so on;
• effectively managing budget arrangements forparticular art projects;
• getting involved with fundraising for the arts, including attracting sponsorship and investment;
• encouraging participation from a wide range of audiences in art related projects and events, for example, getting young people involved in dance or drama or promoting cultural diversity through different awareness raising events;
• organising carnivals and outdoor events;
• developing effective marketing strategies to promote art events and projects;
• providing information and advice to local arts organisations;
• working in partnership with other organisations, such as colleges, dance and theatre groups and so on, to develop and promote the arts locally and regionally.

Skills & Interests
Local government arts officers need: 

• to be excellent communicators;
• good marketing skills;
• excellentorganisational and project management skills;
• an ability to manage budgets effectively;
• to be creative and innovative thinkers;
• some knowledge of the arts and how they are funded.

Entry Requirements
Although there are no minimum entry requirements for this area of work, most local government arts officers have an arts of marketing based degree.  However, in some cases arts administration experience is more important.

Future Prospects & Opportunities
Local government arts officers may be able to progress into more senior managerial positions within the arts department.  They may also be able to move into communications, marketing or project management roles within other local council departments such as leisure, tourism or education.

Further Information & Services
Arts Council www.artscouncil.org.uk 
Arts Development UK (including AD:ukCymru) www.artsdevelopmentuk.org 
Creative and Cultural Skills www.ccskills.org.uk 

Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers in creative industries: www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-creative-industries/  

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers officeor school careers library.