Application Pack

Fun Palaces Ambassador

Sheffield Theatres

Sheffield Theatres Trust is the largest producing theatre complex outside London,
nationally recognised for its excellent production values, high calibre casting and worldclass creative teams. Our mission is to transform peoples lives through the power of live
art.
Our vision is to be the pre-eminent regional theatre at the heart of the countrys cultural
life. By 2018, we will produce great work, nurture creative talent and develop future
leaders, we will drive a model of sustainability and innovation through our robust
management and we will foster deep and lasting relationships with our partners and our
diverse and increasing audiences.
Our values are to be bold, passionate and enriching, and our strategy to achieve our vision
is three pronged:

to create extraordinary productions

to grow and diversify audiences and
to drive a model of sustainability.

In partnership with Fun Palaces and the recruitment of this Ambassador, we will support
communities to realise change in their locale from the grass-roots - raising aspiration and
ambition through empowering individuals and supporting partnerships and profiling the
value of cultural participation as an essential part of a healthy society.
This is a great opportunity to play an early role in a growing campaign that has the
potential to make a real difference to the landscape of the arts in this country.
Fun Palaces
Fun Palaces has been in the forefront of understanding that everyone can be an artist
and culture is part of everyday life. If every arts organisation signed up to be part of the
2015 initiative, then people who may think that the arts are not for them would be able to
see and enjoy the arts in the heart of their local community. There is no reason why any
arts building in the country should excuse itself. Lyn Gardner, Theatre Critic, the
Guardian, January 2015
Fun Palaces supports volunteers, grassroots communities, new and established
organisations and practitioners across the UK (and beyond) to make Fun Palaces free,
local events using arts and science as a catalyst to celebrate each unique community and
the skills and interests of those who live there. The first weekend of October every year is
Fun Palaces weekend. More than just a weekend, Fun Palaces is an ongoing campaign for
culture at the heart of our communities. Our mission is a more democratic arts ecology,
through widening arts & science participation, strengthening communities through
empowering individuals and supporting local partnerships, and challenging the way the
arts and sciences are currently owned and created.
The first two weekends, October 2014 and 2015, saw a total of 280 Fun Palaces across 11
nations made by 5262 local people, with over 90,000 joining in. This year, 2016 saw 292
Fun Palaces in total with approximately 90,000 people joining in. Sheffield Theatres ran
one of those Fun Palaces and welcomed over 3000 people to the theatre over the Saturday
and Sunday.
www.funpalaces.co.uk

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Fun Palaces Ambassador
Department:
Learning
Responsible To: Creative Projects Manager
Responsible For: Freelance Project artists and participants
This is a 3 year part time post funded by The Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Wellcome
Trust in conjunction with the Fun Palaces Campaign and Sheffield Theatres.
Main purpose: To celebrate the creativity and culture of local people. To identify and
develop sustainable and productive partner relationships across Sheffield with
communities who currently have low engagement with Sheffield Theatres. To plan,
develop, produce and evaluate a creative, exciting and bold year round programme aimed
at developing these new relationships, supporting the emergence of a self-led network of
local cultural leaders and linking communities to the work of Sheffield Theatres and
objectives of the Fun Palace campaign.
In partnership with Fun Palaces and the recruitment of this Ambassador, we will support
communities to realise change in their locale from the grass-roots - raising aspiration and
ambition through empowering individuals and supporting partnerships and profiling the
value of cultural participation as an essential part of a healthy society.
Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Creative Projects Manager identify and develop sustainable
and productive relationships/partnerships between Sheffield Theatres and community
partners, stake holders and other relevant networks and initiatives locally, regionally
and nationally.
Identify and develop links with the theatre and local people, building their skills and
confidence to share their creativity and culture.
Support the development of a self-led network of volunteers/local cultural leaders, to
remain active throughout the three years and beyond.
Support volunteers/local cultural leaders to run and develop creative activities and
events, linking to the work on our stages and building, building ownership of these
public spaces, with a view to remain sustainable beyond the role. This includes
supporting volunteers to create a community-led Fun Palace on a weekend in October
each year.
Ensure that the diversity of our communities is represented in accordance with the
Sheffield Theatre Trusts Business and Audience Development plans, the Ramps of the
Moon Project and Fun Palace objectives.
Work to agreed timelines for the development of the work and ensure those time lines
are adhered too.
Undertake the continuous evaluation and monitoring of the project. Represent the
organisation, and contribute to, an ongoing Action Research programme with other Fun
Palace partners.
Alongside the Creative Projects Manager ensure the work is delivered in accordance
with Sheffield Theatres Trust and Fun Palaces objectives (in line with the funding bodies
The Paul Hamlyn Trust and Wellcome Trust).

 Collect, maintain and analyse data and statistics and produce relevant reports as
required.
As directed by the Creative Projects Manager, manage, monitor and ensure fulfilling of
contractual obligations of freelance artists employed to deliver projects, including
appropriate safeguarding and pastoral support of participants and quality of work
provided.
Manage and deliver within delegated project budgets.
To be responsible for the administration and databases for the project in compliance
with Data protection legislation and Sheffield Theatres systems to ensure
comprehensive, relevant up to date communications.
Support the Creative Projects Manager and Sheffield Theatres Communications Team in
speaking to the public about the work of the department and project, playing an active
advocacy role for the Fun Palace campaign including on-line and social media.
General
As a term of your employment you may also be asked to undertake other such
appropriate duties as and when required of you, as well as being asked to work flexible
hours to support the operation of the organisation and to participate in the evaluation
process.
Participate in all training and development initiatives as required.
Comply with the organisations policies and legal obligations regarding health and
safety, environmental health and employment practices.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
An enthusiasm for the Fun Palaces campaign and the legacy it will create.
Inventive, organised and resourceful and an ability to apply this to the potential of this
project.
An excellent team-player who is extremely personable, diplomatic and has the ability to
communicate effectively with people at all levels and ages both internally and
externally.
Excellent knowledge of Sheffield communities.
Experience of developing and managing community led learning or engagement
projects with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures
with little or no experience of the arts.
A good knowledge of and ability to engage with, artists and practitioners working in the
arts sector both regionally and nationally.
Previous experience of managing project budgets.
Committed, self-motivated with excellent problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (including a good standard of spoken
and written English).
Keen interest in and empathy with creative community engagement.
Good IT skills, including Office applications, the internet and email.
Excellent administrative and organisational skills with a high level of attention to detail
and ability to effectively manage multiple projects concurrently.

 Ability to work effectively within a busy environment including periods of intense

pressure to meet non-negotiable deadlines.
Desirable
An interest in cultural policy and having an opportunity to contribute to current debates.
Experience of applied theatre or artistic practice.
Previous experience of working in a producing theatre or company.
Up to date knowledge of diverse contemporary theatre practice, for example including
work that is immersive, site specific or employs digital technologies.
A clean driving license.

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Term:
Pay:

This is a 3 year contract.

9,386 per year

Probation

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month

probation period.

Hours:

Nominal average weekly hours are 18 excluding meal breaks. You will
typically work two 8 hour days per week but this may vary. This role will
involve initiatives at different times of the year requiring extra hours per
week; such as in the run up to and including the Fun Palaces weekend in
October. The 2 extra hours per week enable this.

Holidays:

Holiday entitlement is 5 weeks 4 days per year increasing by a day

each year. This holiday entitlement includes Public Holidays.

Pension:

On successful completion of the probationary period you are eligible

to join a pension scheme (The Peoples Pension) with an employer
contribution of 3.5% of basic pay and a minimum matching employee
contribution. During your probation you will be auto enrolled into The
Peoples Pension in accordance with statutory deadlines and
contributions.