Youth Arts Coordinator

AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY Job Description

Job Title: Youth Arts Co-ordinator

Department: Artistic

Reports To: Creative Development and Education Manager

Direct Relationships:    Participation Coordinator, Artistic Director, Literary Manager, Marketing and Communications Manager, Development Manager, Ticketing and Sales Manager, Associate Director Production, General Manager.

Date:  November 2011

PURPOSE

To co-ordinate, implement and deliver the programmes and special projects run by ATC Education to a high standard of participant satisfaction.  The focus of ATC Education’s work is to encourage learning and participation in theatre; to act as a resource for both students and educators; and to nurture young theatre practitioners and future audiences. 

The Youth Arts Coordinator is also responsible for co-ordinating and delivering the annual ATC youth festival THE NEXT BIG THING.  This two week festival showcases new works for young audiences.  Young people aged 15 to 25 years have the opportunity to take part in the Festival and are selected via a registration and audition process.

ATC EDUCATION

The Youth Arts Coordinator is required to work closely with and support the Creative Development and Education Manager.  Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following: 

ATC Ambassadors

·        Coordinate the continued relationship with ATC ambassadors. Maintain and develop a database and keep ATC Ambassadors informed of upcoming events. Attend Ambassador Night performances and the forums with the actors and crew. Organise meetings and workshop opportunities, including acting or production workshops, backstage tours and attendance at play readings, and other events as appropriate.

School Matinees

·        Coordinate attendance and administrative requirements associated with school matinees including handling enquiries, taking bookings, issuing confirmations, distribution of e-flyers and updates, promotion of Education Packs

·        Attend school matinees and facilitate post-show forums with show cast and creative team.

Education Sector

·        Maintain a positive relationship with the Education sector by providing support for schools, the University of Auckland, Ministry of Education, Toi Whakaari, UNITEC and other training providers.

·        Coordinate professional development workshops for teachers, guest speakers at conferences and prize-givings, community classes and practitioner visits to schools. 

School Workshops

·        Co-ordinate bookings for specially designed workshops in schools by ATC actors and arts practitioners as required. 

Industry Support

·        Liaise between emerging artists and professional practitioners working at ATC, other local theatre companies, venues and arts organisations.

·        Build and maintain strong relationships and goodwill within the sector.       

·        Provide guidance on industry benchmarks and best practice.

·        With the marketing department, distribute e-flyers for upcoming productions to ATC Education database members.

Industry Training

·        Co-ordinate youth training programmes including work experience for secondary school students, internships, mentoring and tertiary student secondments.

·        Assist with coordination of the ATC Summer School and other training programmes.

THE NEXT BIG THING

The Youth Arts Coordinator plays an important role in delivering THE NEXT BIG THING Festival to a high standard of participant satisfaction and operational effectiveness.  The Youth Arts Coordinator is the main point of contact for everyone participating in the event and as such is required to undertake the following duties:

Event Coordination

·        Liaise with all participants involved to ensure that the Festival runs smoothly

·        Work closely with the professional mentors, creative teams and production personnel to ensure that requirements are communicated effectively and delivered in a timely manner

·        Communicate with third party suppliers, the Basement, sponsors and other stakeholders, as directed by the Creative Development and Education Manager.

·        Prepare schedules, contact lists, databases and mailouts to effectively communicate, liaise and coordinate with everyone involved in the project. 

Operations

·        Assist the Creative Development and Education Manager with organising operational aspects of the Festival, including but not limited to:

o       Scheduling

o       Ticketing

o       Front of House

o       Logistics

·        Undertake administrative duties associated with the Festival, as directed by the Creative Development and Education Manager

Promotion

·        Assist the Creative Development and Education Manager to effectively promote and market the Festival, working with Auckland Theatre Company’s Marketing Department and THE NEXT BIG THING participants as required.

·        Mobilise ATC Ambassadors and all the participants in the Festival to actively promote ticket sales.

·        Assist the Creative Development and Education Manager with school liaison to promote the Festival.

Production

·        Assist the Production Manager on the delivery of production aspects of the Festival as directed. 

·        Liaise with Stage Managers working on each of the three plays as required.

·        Attend rehearsals as required, including those scheduled on evenings and weekends.

CONTRIBUTION TO AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY

A high level of professionalism is required in this role. A primary responsibility to the ATC and its artistic endeavors are essential.  This includes but is not limited to:

maintaining a productive and effective working relationship with all Auckland Theatre Company employees to promote a cooperative and harmonious working environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement;

suggesting improvements in operations, processes, efficiency and service both internally and through out the industry;

developing strong relationships with the management team to ensure coordinated marketing, production and business activity across the Company.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

At least three years experience in theatre arts, preferably in an education, community or youth context.

A Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; or three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets and database software is essential.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills are required, as is the ability to work in a fast-paced environment which requires to juggling of multiple competing tasks and demands.

The position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy, particularly when handling sensitive and confidential issues.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Maintain a valid Drivers License.