JOB: StAnza – Scotland’s International Poetry Festival is seeking a new artistic director

We are looking for a creative, dynamic and hard-working person with a passion for poetry to take up the freelance role of StAnza’s artistic director.

To maintain StAnza’s established reputation in the poetry community nationally and internationally, they will have the ability to develop high-quality cultural programmes, considerable experience in cultural administration, and a flair for communicating with a wide range of artists (from emergent to renowned), audiences and stakeholders.

Building on the success and growth of recent years, the artistic director will guide us into the next chapter of the festival’s history, working in close partnership with the operations manager to lead the organisation strategically.

Role details

Reporting to: The board of trustees (chair)

Contract type: 12 months fixed-term*, freelance. Renewable subject to funding and performance.

Working days: 115 days total, averaging 2 to 3 days per week, dependent upon the needs of the business. The nature of this position requires flexible working.

Rate of pay: £22,425 total contract fee (£195 per day).

Base: Remotely from home, with regular travel to Edinburgh and St Andrews to meet with staff, committees and partners.

*This role is partially supported by project funding that is due to be confirmed by October 2024. The initial contract period will run to October 2024, with the remaining period to be confirmed once a funding decision is received.

StAnza has been successfully funded for 26 years and we anticipate receiving appropriate funding towards this role.

How to apply

Please visit https://stanzapoetry.org/artistic-director/ and download the job pack for full details of the role and how to apply.

Deadline for applications: 10.00am Friday 23 June 2023.

Person specification

Essential qualities, skills and experience:

The fresh vision, imagination, ambition and passion to consolidate StAnza’s successes and challenges through to the next Festival iteration and beyond
The ability and passion to programme and promote StAnza’s central role in developing and platforming writing that speaks to and reflects contemporary society in all its diversity
Knowledge of arts funding and extensive experience of fundraising
Previous experience of programming literary events at this level
Productive and wide-ranging networks within the literary/cultural sector
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, particularly in teamwork
The ability to inspire and motivate stakeholders, staff and creative personnel

Desirable (but not essential) qualities, skills and experience:

An interest in digital opportunities for the arts
Experience of working with writers to develop their craft

Purpose of the role

To develop and articulate an overarching artistic vision for the organisation: one that consolidates StAnza’s position as a leading creative entity in the sector
Informed by the artistic mission, to lead on the strategic and business planning for the organisation, in conjunction with the operations manager and board of trustees
To implement a vision that is fed by – and feeds – the AD’s own artistic practice, as well as evolving in response to social, cultural and political contexts
To maintain a presence within and an up-to-date knowledge of the literary sector
To actively advocate for StAnza and its work across the sector

Please visit our website – https://stanzapoetry.org/artistic-director/ – to view the responsibilities of the role and to download the job pack for full details of the application process.

Deadline for applications: 10.00am Friday 23 June 2023.

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