Media Space, delivered collaboratively by the Science Museum, London and the National Media Museum, Bradford, is the Science Museum’s new space for adults, opening in Spring 2013. It will present an engaging series of exhibitions, accompanied by a creative learning programme.
Media Space will allow audiences to explore old and new media across all technologies, their artistic and scientific outputs and implications, within a specially developed experimental gallery.
To support the development of this project, the museum is seeking a skilled and imaginative Audience and Programme Developer.
9 month full-time fixed term contract. Freelance arrangements may also be considered.
Closing date Midnight Sunday 24 June 2012. Interviews will be held at the Science Museum during week of 2nd July 2012.
Salary: £21,000 - £23,000 per annum pro rata
Purpose of the job
By conducting research into the needs, wants and expectations of the target audience, and building relationships with key organisations, institutions and individuals that reflect and engage them, you will develop and implement the creative learning programme for the first three seasons in Media Space.
The creative learning programme will focus particularly on engaging FE/HE students and their course leaders.
Key Deliverables/Accountabilities
- An audience development strategy, based on evidence-based research, with which to build the FE/HE & culturally active independent adult audience, detailing the needs, wants and expectations of the target audience and the purposeful partnerships that form a route to this audience. This plan will be derived from face-to-face research, sectoral intelligence and desk-based findings
- A fully-costed creative learning programme in support of the vision for Media Space, for the first three seasons, which would include main gallery exhibitions and studio/workshop displays, that has been shaped by the audience research conducted and delivers to the audience development strategy
- Input into the decisions about the physical space and logistics in order to ensure that the spaces work for the audiences.
- A costed plan for the resources necessary for the successful delivery of the creative learning programme over next 5 years, including existing Museum staff time and volunteers.
- Develop a strong network, internally and externally, that increases the Museum’s knowledge of other sector-leading practice in the field of creative learning & programming for adults and initiates partnerships through which the future programme can be delivered.
- To take care of personal health and safety and that of others and report any health and safety concerns. Ensure proactive compliance with SMG H&S Policies, including risk assessments and implementing safe systems of work
Behaviours
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Anticipate/recognise changes in circumstances and able to respond quickly and effectively.
- Outcome-focussed
- Professional, with proven ability to work on own and with a broad range of people especially external partners.
- Able to effectively create buy-in for work being conducted, good communication with different team members.
- Able to work on own and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Skills, Knowledge and Relevant Qualifications
- Experience of devising engaging creative learning programmes for adult audiences
- Knowledge of creative learning programming by major cultural organisations
- A practical understanding of the principles of audience development, gained through professional work i.e. formulating plans, identifying objectives, engaging with target audiences.
- Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
- Proven ability to devise and implement evaluation and research strategies
- Knowledge of policy and research in the fields of audience engagement; participation; museums & galleries; FE & HE; creative industries
- Understanding of how visitors learn in Museums and other free choice environments
- Understanding of audiences: their wants, needs, expectations
Working Relationships and Contacts
Internal
- With the Science Museum Head of Arts Projects and National Media Museum Curator of Photographs to ensure that that the creative learning programme fits with the overarching creative ethos of Media Space
- With the Project Leader and Head of Learning Resources & Outreach (line manager) to ensure planned programme can be resourced
- With the Head of Audience Research & Advocacy to ensure that the research strategy is robust and the resultant programme is suitable for target audience; and to ensure that learning is embedded in all aspects of the project
- With Head of Learning Resources & Outreach and Head of Audience Research & Advocacy to ensure learning input matches learning business plan and philosophy
- With the Project Leader to ensure high quality delivery on brief, on time and on budget
- With Project Leader to secure staff resource for activities
- With the project team and wider museum to share intelligence about targeted audience groups
- With web team and new media team to develop any digital activities
- With Marketing to develop a marketing strategy for the space
- With Finance/Management Accounts – to ensure effective use of resources
- With Learning Support Team Leader to agree logistics for group bookings
External
- To contribute to regular updates and reports to the gallery funders and other stakeholders
- With target audience and organisations/institutions that represent and engage them (e.g. independent adults; FE & HE sector; )
- To work with other major institutions that attract independent adult visitors, to explore potential collaboration
- With external contractors to deliver specified materials/workshops/learning products
Line Management and Budget Responsibility
Directly line manages: 0
Indirectly line manages: 0
Contractors/freelancers: 1-3 varying over the course of the project.
Scope for impact
- Media Space will be central to the strategy to grow the adult audience at the Science Museum and shape the perception of the Museum for these audiences
- Extending Science Museum reach and profile in engaging adults in a creative learning programme
Please note:
- This job description is not exhaustive and amendments and additions may be required in line with future changes in policy, regulation or organisational requirements, it will be reviewed on a regular basis.
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