Bedford Creative Arts

Arts Council; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local arts charity based in Bedford is seeking a Freelance Producer to facilitate community engaged artistic projects along the riverbank. The role involves connecting with community groups, artists, and managing workshops aimed at 360 participants. The anticipated fee for this freelance contract is between £4,000 - £5,000 for approximately 20-25 days of work. Candidates should have experience in socially-engaged art, excellent communication skills, and be self-motivated. Application deadline is 12pm on 26th January 2026.

Responsibilities

• Research and connect with community groups to identify participants.
• Identify and contract local artists/creative workshop facilitators.
• Deliver a total of 24 workshops with a target of 360 participants.
• Collaborate with marketing to ensure workshops are well advertised.
• Identify exhibition space for the final outcome.
• Present findings to the steering group during the project.
• Gather data for reporting to funders and stakeholders.
• Identify future projects through community conversations.

Skills

Experience of producing community engaged artistic projects

Knowledge of socially-engaged art & best practice

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong communication skills (verbal and written)

Broad range of IT skills

Self-motivated and enthusiastic

Ability to work on own initiative

Flexible regarding hours of work

Job description

Nature Together aims to help people connect both with nature and each other and provide momentum in this community to retain a connection to the river while we explore how to install creative arts installations along the riverbank.

Through a series of hybrid sessions, participants will co-create a Community Environmental Charter focused on the riverbank in Kempston, capturing shared values and actions to protect the local environment.

Please download the Freelance Producer brief below for more details on the role.

The deadline for applications is 12pm on 26th January 2026

Interviews for the role will take place week commencing 2nd February 2026.

Fee

The anticipated fee for this work is between £4,000 - £5,000 based on an expectation of approx. 20- 25 days' work, depending on the level of experience & freelance rate applied.

Travel expenses agreed in advance will be provided, capped at a value of £250. This is a freelance contract.

The producer will be liable for their own tax, insurance and pension contribution. This is not an employment contract.

Job Requirements

1. Experience of producing community engaged artistic projects.

2. Excellent knowledge of socially-engaged art & best practise.

3. Ability to work co-operatively as part of a small team.

4. Excellent interpersonal skills

5. Ability to demonstrate strong and versatile communication skills, both verbal and written

6. Knowledge and experience of using a broad range of I.T. in the workplace

7. Ability to relate to and work well with people from all demographic backgrounds.

8. Self-motivated and enthusiastic about your work.

9. Ability to work on own initiative.

11. To have a good track record for attendance and time keeping.

12. Ability to deal with multiple priorities and conflicting demands.

13. Welcoming and assisting attitude towards artists, participants, partners and other guests

14. Ability to be flexible regarding hours of work and work outside normal office hours as required.

Job Responsibilities

• Research & connect with existing community groups, organisations & businesses to identify potential participants for workshop delivery.
• Identify, interview & contract local artists/creative workshop facilitators to deliver workshops.
• Work closely with BCA's Senior Projects Manager to deliver a total of 24 workshops (of an anticipated duration of 2 hours per session) reaching a target of 360 participants.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Officer to generate marketing materials, ensuring the workshops are well advertised & attended.
• Identify exhibition space to display the final outcome. This work aims to reach a viewing target of 250 visitors.
• Attend & present findings during the process of the project to the existing steering group (anticipated to be up to 4 meetings of 2 hours).
• Assist with gathering data which will be reported to funders & stakeholders.
• Research & identify possible future projects for Kempston through conversations with the community & steering group.

Candidates wishing to apply should submit:

• a CV (a description of their relevant work history and any relevant training, learning and skills)
• a letter or email (no more than 2 sides of A4) explaining why they would like the role & why they think they have the relevant experience and skills to deliver the brief.
• An itemised quotation for their fee detailing the number of days anticipated to complete the work and the daily rate applied.

We will obtain references from the successful candidate before appointment.

You are welcome to supply this information in video or audio format (no longer than 5 minutes, please) if you prefer. If you require any other support to apply, please contact us to discuss how we can support your application.

For informal enquiries, please email Bex Foskett at [email protected] or call 01234 818 670.

Bedford Creative Arts is an arts charity that has been producing socially-engaged arts projects for more than 30 years that explore issues of social justice, challenge the status quo and raise questions that have the potential to influence practice and policy-making. We are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England delivering an ambitious programme of commissions for, by, and with communities across Bedfordshire.