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Arts administrator

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Performing arts and media
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Career outlook for arts administrator

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£15,000

Experienced

£30,000

Currently employed in Scotland

7,300

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it 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

Working conditions

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.

UK employment status

Full-time

72%

Part-time

21%

Self employed

8%

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  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Problem solving
  • Working with numbers
  • Researching
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

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. 

 

Useful subjects

  • English (required by many courses)
  • English-based subjects such as History (required by many courses)
  • Creative subjects such as art & design
  • Media
  • Languages
  • Maths
  • Business
  • Computing

You will also need

To enter a National Certificate/National Qualification (SCQF 2-6) in Events Mangement usually requires 4 National 4/5 qualifications. 

Helpful to have

To enter a National Certificate/National Qualification (SCQF 2-6) in Events Management usually requires four National 4/5 qualifications.