Cultural Jobs
Arts Administrator
Arts administrators are involved in the management of a cultural organisation, such as a theatre, orchestra or art gallery. One of their main duties is to find funding for their organisation.
They attend meetings with officials from the Arts Council regarding subsidies, with politicians regarding council grants, and with people from industry regarding private sponsorship.
Arts administrators are often responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation. In venues such as theatres, they make sure that health and safety rules are followed, that bars and restaurants have the correct licences, and that buildings are kept clean and well maintained.
Many organisations also have performers on tour. The administrator must make sure that their travel arrangements and accommodation are organised.
Cinema/Theatre Attendant
Cinema/theatre attendants carry out a range of duties. These include checking tickets, showing people to their seats and handling enquiries from the public.
Attendants also have responsibilities for public safety in the auditorium, which include checking that gangways and fire exits are clear.
They also handle advance bookings and sell tickets, programmes and refreshments. They deal with credit card payments and cash.
Attendants working in shops or licensed bars in the foyer are responsible for stocking and pricing goods and cashing up at the end of the day. Cleaning duties can also be part of the work.
Museum/Art Gallery Attendant
Museum/art gallery attendants’ duties vary depending on the museum or gallery they work in. Attendants in national museums or galleries (sometimes called warders) normally help curators and keepers to set up exhibitions, clean displays and patrol rooms.
Independent and privately-owned museums and galleries usually have a smaller number of staff members. Attendants may be required to help with a variety of tasks such as issuing entrance tickets, looking after a gift shop (selling items and handling cash) and mounting exhibitions.
National museums and galleries have security equipment and security guards. In smaller organisations, security is part of the attendant’s job.