Freelance Artist / Art Educator: Cleaner and Greener East London

Main Duties

Freelance, part-time

Location: London’s Boroughs of Hackney, Bexley, Newham, Havering and Greenwich

Reports to: Project Director and Managing Director PTC CIO

Purpose of the role
Paint the Change is seeking socially engaged freelance artists and/or art educators to work with diverse community groups and young people to co-create large-scale public murals addressing climate action themes. These roles combine creative practice, participatory education, and community collaboration, supporting communities to express their experiences, priorities, and solutions related to climate change through public art.

Artists will work closely with the Project Coordinator, community partners, and participants to deliver inclusive workshops and to realise a medium- to large-scale public mural that leaves a lasting visual and social legacy in the neighbourhood.

Key Responsibilities

Co-design & preparation

• Collaborate with the Project Coordinator to refine workshop plans, educational content, and creative approaches in line with the project’s objectives (climate action, inclusion, community ownership).
• Contribute artist expertise to the development of accessible, participatory workshop materials, suitable for diverse ages, languages, and abilities.
• Engage with the community partner in advance to understand local context, sensitivities, and priorities.

Workshop delivery & community engagement

• Co-deliver (and in some cases lead) art-based workshops with young people and community members, enabling participants to:
  • Explore environmental and climate themes relevant to their lives.
  • Develop ideas, imagery, and messages for the mural.
  • Build confidence in creative expression and collective decision-making.
• Create a safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environment, encouraging participation from people who may be new to art or climate discussions.
• Identify and support participants’ creative contributions to the final mural design.

Mural design & production

• Translate workshop outcomes into a co-created mural design, ensuring community voices are meaningfully represented.
• Execute a medium- to large-scale public mural on a wall selected in consultation with the community partner and Paint the Change.
• Work with the project team to support the permissions process (e.g. site checks, timelines, technical requirements, risk assessments, and permits) so the mural can be delivered promptly after workshops.
• Ensure high artistic quality, durability, and suitability for a public setting.

Collaboration, documentation & promotion

• Work collaboratively with the wider project team, including filmmakers or communications staff, during workshops and mural production.
• Where possible, assist with public engagement, outreach and promotion, including:
  • Participating in mural launch events or community discussions.
  • Sharing process or outcomes through personal or project social media (as agreed).
• Provide advice and guidance to the project team on artistic, technical, or engagement matters as needed.

Key Outputs

• Delivery of participatory art workshops with community members and/or young people.
• A completed, publicly accessible mural co-created with the community.
• Contribution to a positive participant experience aligned with Paint the Change’s values of inclusion, quality, and collaboration.
• Input into documentation, reflection, or promotional activity related to the mural.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven experience as a visual artist, street artist, or socially engaged practitioner, including executing murals or large-scale public artworks.
• Experience working in community-based or participatory art projects, particularly with young people or marginalised groups.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to explain ideas clearly and work inclusively.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multi-partner project.
• Ability to work across cultures and languages with sensitivity.
• Commitment to high-quality work, reliability, and meeting agreed timelines.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Clear Enhanced DBS check.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Disability Confident Employer

We can confirm that we are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1-3) who can welcome a wide-range of disabled applicants within our level of training.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and caring responsibility. We are committed to offering a working environment where everyone is valued and feels appreciated.