Organizer Information
Modern Art Oxford is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art organisations, founded in 1965 and based in Oxford. It operates as a publicly accessible cultural institution dedicated to presenting ambitious, experimental, and socially engaged contemporary art. The organisation has an established international reputation for supporting emerging and under-represented artists, while also functioning as a civic cultural hub with strong local engagement across Oxfordshire.
Its programme is structured around exhibitions, learning initiatives, participatory projects, and community partnerships. A significant portion of its work focuses on widening access to contemporary art through education, co-creation, and inclusive programming. The Communities, Practice & Participation (CPP) department plays a central role in this mission, delivering structured engagement programmes for early years, young people, and adult learners, as well as curating participatory exhibitions within the gallery spaces.
Modern Art Oxford positions itself as an institution committed to equality, anti-racism, and diversity, with a strong emphasis on collaborative practice and community-led cultural production.
Title & Description
Young Creatives Programme Manager – Communities, Practice & Participation Programme
This opportunity is a permanent part-time role focused on leading and developing the “Young Creatives” programme (ages 16–21) within Modern Art Oxford’s participatory and educational framework. The role is designed for a practitioner with experience in contemporary art education, youth engagement, and participatory programming.
The position combines curatorial thinking, education delivery, and project management. The appointed candidate will co-develop workshops, creative sessions, and professional development opportunities for young people, ensuring that programming is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to participant input. A core responsibility is co-curation with young people, supporting them to shape exhibitions, events, and long-term strategic programming aligned with the institution’s upcoming strategy (2027–2030).
The programme engages over 800 young people annually and includes a core collective of participants who meet regularly, alongside school partnerships and public-facing events. The role therefore sits at the intersection of education, curatorial practice, and community engagement, requiring both strategic planning and hands-on delivery.
The Role Overview
- Position: Young Creatives Programme Manager
- Contract Type: Permanent (Part-time, 4 days per week)
- Salary: £26,400 pro rata (Full-time equivalent: £33,000)
- Line Management: Head of Communities, Practice & Participation
- Working Pattern: Includes Wednesdays, Thursdays, and one Saturday per month; occasional evenings/weekends required
- Workplace: On-site, Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, UK
- Reporting Structure: Works within the Communities, Practice & Participation team
- Programme Context: Youth engagement, participatory programming, school partnerships, co-curation initiatives
Position & Tasks
- Design and deliver inclusive creative workshops for young people (16–21).
- Lead the Young Creatives Collective, Socials, and school-based programmes.
- Co-develop participatory projects with young participants and visiting artists.
- Manage recruitment, scheduling, and engagement of youth participants.
- Coordinate school and college partnerships, including outreach and careers events.
- Oversee risk assessments, safeguarding compliance, and GDPR-related processes.
- Manage budgets, invoices, materials procurement, and logistical planning.
- Collect and analyse participation data, evaluation feedback, and reporting metrics.
- Support development of long-term strategic initiatives (Changing Geographies 2027–2030).
- Maintain communication across internal teams and external partners.
- Contribute to exhibitions and public programmes with participatory methodologies.
Categories
- Contemporary Visual Art
- Arts Education & Pedagogy
- Curatorial Practice
- Community Arts
- Participatory Arts
- Youth Engagement (16–21 programming)
- Cultural Programming / Museum Practice
Eligibility
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working with young people (16–21) in arts or cultural institutions.
- Experience in contemporary art education, gallery or museum learning contexts.
- Strong understanding of inclusive pedagogy and participatory practice.
- Experience collaborating with artists, educators, or creative facilitators.
- Experience managing multi-part projects and stakeholder relationships.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- DBS clearance and safeguarding competency (or willingness to obtain).
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-racism principles.
Desirable:
- Formal qualification in arts, education, or related field.
- Experience working with migrant or displaced communities.
- Experience in communications or audience development.
- First aid certification.
Program Benefits
- Permanent salaried employment in a leading UK contemporary art institution
- Opportunity to shape a national-level youth engagement strategy (2027–2030 framework)
- Direct collaboration with contemporary artists and curators
- Access to institutional resources, exhibitions, and professional networks
- Employee benefits, including pension scheme (Legal & General), staff discounts, and assistance programme
- Opportunity to lead co-curated public events and exhibitions
- Long-term professional development within participatory arts practice
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A written statement (maximum 2 pages A4) demonstrating suitability against the person specification
- Full CV including employment history
- Portfolio of relevant work (projects, programmes, or creative outputs)
- Contact details for two referees (one must be current or most recent employer)
- Completion of Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (anonymous)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 29 June 2026
- Interview Dates: 14–16 July 2026
- Expected Start Date: Week commencing 24 August 2026
Location
Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The organisation is actively committed to anti-racist practice and encourages applications from individuals from the Global Majority, who are currently under-represented in the cultural sector workforce. The role is embedded within a broader institutional shift toward inclusive and participatory cultural production.
The post involves working closely with young people in structured and informal settings, requiring strong safeguarding awareness and the ability to facilitate creative environments across diverse social and educational contexts. The programme prioritises co-creation, meaning participants are not passive recipients but active contributors to curatorial and artistic decision-making processes.
This is a hybrid role in terms of activity (delivery + coordination), but requires physical presence for most programming activities.