Arts administrator
Organise exciting events like festivals, plays and concerts to entertain and thrill audiences.
About the job
What it's like
You would organise exciting events like festivals, plays and concerts to entertain and thrill audiences.
You might plan huge festivals like such as Celtic Connections and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe or individual concerts, plays and tours. You might also organise local community arts events.
You would book the artists and the venues. You'd try to persuade businesses to sponsor your show and apply for government funding.
You would:
Make arrangements to sell tickets
Organise security and catering
Manage budgets and keep records
Do general administration
To get people to buy tickets you'd organise publicity like adverts and posters and you'd try to get the media interested in doing an interview with the artist.
You might write copy for websites and press releases and use social media to get people to spread the word because they are excited about it.
You could work all sorts of organisations, including:
Theatres, opera houses or concert venues
Art galleries and museums
Festivals
Theatre and dance companies
Community and disability arts projects
National organisations like Scottish Opera, the Scottish Book Trust or Creative Scotland
Local authorities
Hours
Your working hours may be irregular and include evenings, late nights and weekends. This could depend on the event or activity you are working on. You may often need to work overtime to meet deadlines.
Environment
You would have an office base.
Travel
You would travel to events and performances, or to meet with artists, performers and other arts organisations.
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Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- developing a plan
- researching
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Media
Performance Arts
Skills for Work: Creative Industries
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this job but a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF 9/10) in a subjects such as events management may be very helpful.
To enter a National Certificate/National Qualification (SCQF 2-6) in Events Management usually requires National 4/5 qualifications.
To enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) requires National 5 qualifications and one to two Highers.
To enter a degree (SCFQ 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers or a relevant HNC/HND qualification.
To enter a National Certificate/National Qualification (SCQF 2-6) in Events Management usually requires four National 4/5 qualifications.
To enter a National Certificate/National Qualification (SCQF 2-6) in Events Mangement usually requires 4 National 4/5 qualifications.
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