Work with us: ACCESS OFFICER
Performers at A Bit Of A Knees Up 2021
Photo by Paul Grace
JOB DESCRIPTION: Access Officer
Drunken Chorus
Drunken Chorus is a charity and theatre company (Charity number: 1161841). We make inclusive and accessible events, such as our festival A Bit Of A Do. We run creative workshops for learning disabled and autistic adults, and support artists who are deaf, visually impaired and/or disabled. We also make and tour performances, and support artists to create new work.
Over the next two years we will embark on an ambitious period of development and growth. We will expand our festival, artist support and workshop programmes, and create a core team of staff to support this activity. It will be a period of reflection and change, and the beginning of an exciting new journey. We are looking for an ambitious and creative Access Officer to join us on this new adventure.
Since 2017 we have produced an accessible festival in Croydon. The programme features theatre, dance and cabaret by disabled and non-disabled artists, with workshops and talks. Previously a three-day festival over one weekend, A Bit Of A Do returned after the pandemic as a two-week event. In 2022 and 2023 A Bit Of A Do will be a 9-day multi-venue festival in the centre of Croydon.
Following a trial in 2021, we will continue to present both live and digital work, making the event accessible to people who can’t attend venues in person.
Over the next two years we plan to reach over 3,000 people. We are looking for a new member of our core team, to help ensure that everyone can take part – including artists, audiences, staff and participants. This new role will be part of our core team, working closely with the festival directors to ensure our organisation and wider work is inviting and accessible for all.
The ideal candidate will be familiar with our work, and passionate about the arts, access and inclusion. They will have significant experience in the planning and delivery of access within the performing arts.
We value lived experience as a key asset for this role. As such, we are particularly keen to receive applications from disabled people.
Key Duties:
GENERAL
Work with the company directors to develop our EDI Policy;
Create a new three-year plan to improve access and inclusion across our work;
Keep up to date with best practice in access;
Attend key events, including A Bit Of A Do festival;
Attend weekly team briefings (online);
Monitor success of the access strategy, and support with reporting;
Support directors to plan access training for staff and artists;
Meet with our advisory board to consult on festival access.
STAFF
Ensure inclusion and equality policies are adequate and adhered to;
Ensure recruitment / staffing follows above policies;
Ensure recruitment procedures are accessible;
ARTISTS
Liaise with artists on access needs, and communicate these to company directors / production manager;
Be present at A Bit Of A Do festival to oversee artists’ access;
AUDIENCES
Work with directors to ensure all festival performances are as accessible as possible;
Arrange access provision, such as BSL interpreters and audio description;
Liaise with Audience Development Officer to promote accessible work to specific groups;
Liaise with Audience Development Officer to ensure promotional material is accessible;
Liaise with Audience Development Officer to ensure social media is accessible;
PARTICIPANTS
Ensure adequate provision and adjustments are in place;
Ensure recruitment material for participants is accessible;
Support Audience Development Officer to promote accessible projects and reach disabled people.
VENUES
Work with Directors and the Production Manager to ensure festival venues are accessible.
EXPERIENCE / ATTRIBUTES
Essential
Minimum 3-years’ experience in access / disability arts
Understanding of accessible performances
Networks within access provision / disability arts
Strong knowledge of best practice in arts access / disability arts
Experience working with access users
Understanding of accessible marketing and communication formats
Warm and friendly approach to a wide range of people
Reliable and punctual
Strong interpersonal skills
Excellent communication skills
Desirable
Experience working with an arts organisation
Basic understanding of practical and technical elements of arts events
Previous work with disabled artists / audiences
Previous work with learning disabled and/or vulnerable adults
Current DBS check
Safeguarding Training
First aid training
Key dates:
Mid July: Artistic programme confirmed
End July: Start date
Mid August: Finalisation of Access Strategy
Late August: Programme launch and bookings open
October: Festival
Fee: £150 day rate. 1 day per week. 18 month fixed-term contract, to be reviewed at 6 months and 12 months.
Note: This job is funding dependent, and will be confirmed before interviews.
Hours of Work: Flexible, with a fixed 30-minute weekly meeting / team briefing (online).
Place of Work: Remote / from home, plus team meetings and presence at festival.
Payment: Upon receipt of invoices. Payment schedule negotiable.
To apply: Email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk with your CV, a cover letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, and any relevant links to previous work / projects.
We also welcome applications in other formats, such as a video, or by phone. If you would like this information in a different format, please let us know. If you need an interpreter, or if we can make the application process simpler or more accessible, please contact us.
Deadline: Monday 11 July 2022, 10am.
Drunken Chorus is currently supported by Arts Council England and City Bridge Trust.