Community arts worker

Alternative titles for this job include

Community arts workers help local communities plan and take part in activities like drama, dance, painting and photography.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£29,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays attending events or appointments

Meet Megan

Megan is a drama facilitator and leads classes for children.

Megan has dyslexia and dyspraxia and found that drama built her confidence when she was younger.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a community arts worker

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering

University

To become a community arts worker, you could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• community arts
• creative expressive therapies
• art and design
• community education

You'll usually need to be qualified and experienced in a certain art form, such as visual arts, dance, drama, music or creative writing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You may find a community arts qualification useful for getting a job as an assistant.

You could take a:

• Level 2 Certificate in Community Arts Administration
• Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Community Development

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a cultural learning and participation officer advanced apprenticeship.

This usually takes a year and 6 months to 2 years to complete. It includes a mix of learning in the workplace and studying in a classroom.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Volunteering

It's important you get experience before you apply for jobs. You can do this by volunteering which can often lead to paid work.

You can find out about local community arts projects from the arts officer at your local council or by checking:

• Creative Lives
• Arts Council England
• Do IT
• NCVO

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you have experience working in the community.

Good examples include working in adult education, art teaching or youth work. Experience of working with disadvantaged or vulnerable groups will also be helpful.

More Information

Career tips

Experience is just as important for getting onto a community arts course as it is for finding paid work.

Further information

You'll find more on working in community arts and creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• leadership skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• business management skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a community arts worker, you could:

• work with local groups to identify needs and concerns
• develop new arts groups and activities
• create artwork and help others develop their ideas
• advise on grants, sponsorship and other funding options
  
• promote activities through adverts, leaflets or social media

Working environment

You could work in the community, at a library, at a school, at an adult care home or in a prison.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could work freelance and run larger projects with bigger budgets.

In larger organisations, you could move into a more senior or management role.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Cultural, Learning and Participation Officer Apprentice

• Wage: £14,820.00 Annually
• Location: 2-16 COLEGATE, NORWICH

Cultural Learning & Participation Officer Apprentice

• Wage: £8,580.00 Annually
• Location: Birmingham

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a community arts worker?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Not what you're looking for?

Related careers

• Community development worker
• Art therapist
• Youth worker
• Community education co-ordinator
• Actor

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

• 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
• 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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