Community Arts Worker

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £28,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 variable

evenings / weekends / bank holidays attending events or appointments

How To Become a Community Arts Worker

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
volunteering

College / University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

community arts
creative expressive therapies
art and design
community education

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

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

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

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

Apprenticeship

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

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

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got paid or voluntary experience of working in the community. For example, in adult education, art teaching or youth work. Experience of working with disadvantaged or vulnerable groups will also be helpful.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
knowledge of psychology
counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to work well with others
leadership skills
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
knowledge of English language
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

working with local community groups to identify needs and concerns
developing new groups and activities
creating artwork and helping community members develop their own ideas
promoting and organising input from other arts workers
leading meetings and training activities
advising on grants, sponsorship and other sources of funding
writing funding bids and proposals, managing budgets and general administration
publicising activities through the press, local radio, leaflets and social media
managing and assessing projects

Working Environment

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

Career Path & 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.

Volunteering Opportunities

It's important to get relevant experience by volunteering. This can often lead into paid work.

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

Tips & 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.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks