Bow Arts – Gallery Assistant (STEP)
Salary
£23,933 per annum
Hours
35 hours per week
Location
London
Closing Date
03 August 2025
Position Type
Full Time
Advert expires on
03 August 2025
Main Duties
This role will be based in the Arts & Events team to support Bow Arts’ public arts and events programme, including Nunnery Gallery exhibitions and events. A full induction will be provided, with further on-the-job training support. All staff are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Key Responsibilities
Visitor service and customer relations:
- Assist the smooth running of the Nunnery Gallery front of house, including managing the space at weekends.
- Provide a first point of contact for enquiries about the gallery and exhibition/events programme.
- Assist in management of the volunteer programme, including recruitment, induction and training.
- Provide event and project management assist where required, including setting up events, monitoring and processing evaluation data.
- Ensure smooth and consistent collection of visitor data, using visitor log (and keep the digital master updated).Business administration:
- Assist income generation through increased space/ venue hires and sales (at events and the gallery shop).
- Assist with gallery fundraising activity (e.g. donations and sponsorship).
- Respond to general email and telephone enquiries.
Project and Event Assist:
• Assist in exhibition research, preparation, and delivery.
• Assist with the development and delivery of audience-focussed events, with a view to leading on delivery of our monthly Bow Families event.
• Liaise with artists and project partners to assist programme delivery.
• Shadow team during project meetings for exhibitions, events, residencies, and public art commissions.
• Assist in audience development by bringing new ideas and perspectives to the team during programme planning.
Marketing and Communications:
• Maintain and update relevant website pages (Bow Arts and external listings).
• Prepare marketing content for social media posts (including X, Facebook, and Instagram) with a view to managing the East London Art Prize Instagram account.
• Assist in developing marketing campaigns for exhibitions and events, including local marketing (leafleting and sharing with local organisations)
• Produce gallery and event blogs / news pages for the website.
• Be an engaged participant and ambassador at events, including launch events, private views and Open Studios (flexible working hours are required to work some events, taking TOIL to compensate for out-of-hours work)
Finance:
- Ensure financial documents are passed on swiftly and accurately for processing.
- Maintain accurate financial records and liaise effectively with the Finance Team (e.g. volunteer expenses).
- Undertake a range of financial tasks with Bow Arts’ strategic aim of financial sustainability and sound record keeping.General Responsibilities:
- A willingness to undertake training as required for the development of the post.
- Engage with staff and clients of Bow Arts in a positive and constructive manner and shadow / attend such meetings as the post requires.
- Undertake duties proactively and work in accordance with Bow Arts’ aims and objectives.
- Ensure compliance with Bow Arts’ policies and procedures, and all relevant statutory requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality agreements and conduct yourself in a professional manner.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as directed by your line manager.
Other:
• Some meetings, events and training may be held outside of normal office hours, repaid through Time Off in Lieu, agreed in advance with your line manager.
Skills and Experience Required
About STEP
To apply for the STEP programme you must be:
• Aged 18 to 30
• Resident of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest
• Priority will be given to those that have attended school or college in these boroughs.
Through STEP, you’ll get paid London Living Wage over a 12-month training programme to develop a range
of skills and creative approaches and build on your network across different organisations or departments. You’ll complete a work-based placement, grow as part of a peer network, take part in regular professional development workshops, and get a budget to produce a collaborative project. We’ll also connect you with a specialist industry mentor, provide careers coaching and continue to offer support as part of our community after the programme.
Skills and Experience
• A passion for, or desire to, work in the arts / creative industries.
• Some knowledge of the contemporary arts sector in the UK.
• Highly organised, with good administration and project coordination skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.
• Attention to detail and good presentation of work. • Ability to prioritise, and plan workload effectively. • An engaging and outgoing personality.
• Ability to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a small team and across the organisation.
• An interest in community-focussed programming. • IT literate with good working knowledge and capability in using MS Outlook, MS Office, MS Excel and databases.
• A willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, as appropriate.
• Some experience of, or the desire to learn more about, arts marketing.
• Knowledge of east London communities and an active interest in supporting them through the arts.
• Experience of using Photoshop and InDesign, or the willingness to learn.