Arts administrator

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Arts administrators help to organise events and exhibitions, manage staff, and look after buildings like theatres or museums.

Salary Range: £13,000 to £50,000 (full-time)

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You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
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Many arts administrators are graduates but it’s not essential. Most subjects are accepted though you may have an advantage with a degree in:

  • arts management or arts administration
  • events and entertainment management
  • business studies

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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You could get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship in community arts administration or advanced apprenticeship in arts management.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

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

Relevant skills and experience are valued by employers. You could get this through volunteering or temporary work like:

  • helping with student or community drama productions or concerts
  • working front of house or at box offices at arts centres, cinemas or theatres
  • taking temporary jobs with arts festivals

Volunteering can help you to develop a network of contacts within the industry. Competition for jobs can be strong, so contacts may help you to find work.

Direct application

You could apply for jobs if you’ve got experience or qualifications in office administration, fundraising or marketing. An interest in the arts would also be helpful.

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Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of English language
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • an interest and knowledge of history
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

  • booking venues and artists
  • negotiating sponsorship and funding
  • promoting events and managing social media
  • helping with staff training
  • managing budgets and keeping records
  • carrying out general administration and selling tickets

Working environment

You could work in a theatre, in a museum or in an office.

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With experience, you could become an arts officer or manager.

You could also take on freelance work or become a consultant.

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