JOB INFORMATION PACK GALLERY ASSISTANTS (CASUAL)

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1 JOB INFORMATION PACK GALLRY ASSISTANTS (CASUAL) The South London Gallery (SLG) is a locally, nationally and internationally recognised gallery with an acclaimed and award-winning education and outreach programme. We are now seeking Gallery Assistants to join our front of house and visitor services team. Gallery Assistants welcome visitors to the gallery, talking to them about exhibitions, events and the SLG archive and making recommendations about other things to do at the gallery and in the local area. They encourage visitors to return to the gallery in the future and become FANS of the gallery. The role also involves giving visitors gallery tours about the current exhibitions and the history of the SLG and the former Peckham Road Fire Station (training will be given). Importantly Gallery Assistants also look after the security of the artworks. You will particularly enjoy this opportunity if you are friendly, approachable, engaging and proactive. We welcome thousands of visitors each year to our galleries, education and event spaces, shop and cafe in South ast London. This is a particularly exciting time to join the SLG with an ambitious programme of exhibitions and events leading up to the gallery s expansion into the former Peckham Road Fire Station later this year, which will include the opening of a publicly accessible archive room. For more information please read through this job pack. You can also contact our Operations Manager Clare Taylor on or clare@southlondongallery.org or drop into the gallery and speak to one of the Gallery Assistants on duty.

2 April, 2018 Dear Applicant, This information pack for the position of Gallery Assistant (casual) at the South London Gallery includes: background information about the South London Gallery; Gallery Assistant Job Description; and Gallery Assistant Person Specification. Please complete the South London Gallery application form and equal opportunities monitoring form, which you can download from our website The purpose and key tasks and responsibilities of the position are set out in the job description. The knowledge, experience, skills and attributes we are looking for in the successful candidate are listed in the person specification. It is important to read carefully all the information before completing the form. Please do not attach a CV, references or educational certificates to your application form. Applications in the form of CVs will not be considered. Please send completed applications to recruitment@southlondongallery.org with the subject line Gallery Assistant (casual). The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 10am on Monday 30 th April. We regret that applications received after that time cannot be considered. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 9 th May and / or Saturday 12 th May. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone or and invited to attend, at which point we will outline the full details of the selection process. This may include carrying out a selection exercise to test your ability to carry out specific requirements of the job. Unfortunately we are unable to write back to all applicants at the shortlisting stage, or to give specific feedback on why you have not been shortlisted. If you do not hear from us by 3 rd May 2018 please assume that you have not been shortlisted in this instance. If you have any queries regarding the process or the role please contact me on We look forward to receiving your application. Clare Taylor Operations Manager

3 South London Gallery The South London Gallery (SLG) is a locally, nationally and internationally recognised centre for contemporary visual art with an acclaimed and award-winning education and outreach programme. The gallery welcomes over 130,000 visitors annually and involves thousands of participants in far-reaching education activities every year. The gallery opened on its present site on Peckham Road in 1891 as the South London Fine Art Gallery and Library. Its founding mission to bring art to the people of south London is a vision which continues to hold true to this day, with a particular emphasis, over the past twenty years, in showing challenging new work by emerging and established British and international artists. The gallery s beautifully proportioned and high-ceilinged Victorian exhibition space is now complemented by a suite of buildings in a previously derelict neighbouring house and a purpose built extension which opened to the public in Offering a rich programme of exhibitions, film, performance, artist commission and residencies, together with innovative education and outreach projects, the SLG aspires to be internationally recognised for excellence and innovation, and to enhancing the quality of life in the local area. The SLG s successes in recent years, led by the gallery s director Margot Heller, have resulted from the organisation's capacity for excellence and risk-taking in contemporary visual arts programming, combined with its emphasis on inspiring new as well as established audiences through highly regarded education and outreach programmes. In a five year period, staff numbers have more than tripled whilst the gallery has transformed in scale, profile and impact with annual visitor numbers increasing more than five-fold from 25,000 to over 130,000. The South London Gallery is a registered charity and receives annual income from funders Arts Council ngland, as a National Portfolio Organisation, and Southwark Council, while the remainder is raised from a range of sources including statutory funds, individual donations, corporate sponsorship and trusts. The former Peckham Road Fire Station The South London Gallery is delighted to have been donated the Grade II listed former Peckham Road Fire Station, across the road from the SLG s main site, by an anonymous benefactor. Dating from 1867 and the earliest surviving example of a purpose-built fire station in London, the derelict, four-storey building will be transformed into a new cultural centre, enabling the SLG to expand its programme, create a publically accessible archive and deliver a range of heritage engagement and interpretation activities. This new development will enable the SLG to respond to increasing demand for its programmes, simultaneously ensuring that the Fire Station will be preserved for future generations to enjoy and provide much-needed free public space at a time of rapid change in the local area. The SLG has been awarded funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Mayor of London and others to enable the SLG to restore the building, deliver an extensive archive, engagement and interpretation project and open the building to the public. South London Gallery is a registered charity, number Trustee: The SLG Trustee Ltd, company number Registered office: Peckham Road, London, S5 8UH

4 MANAGMNT AND STRUCTUR Gallery Assistants are supervised by Duty Managers, who are responsible for the smooth running of the gallery. Both positions are line managed by the Operations Manager, who will provide full training to all new staff members, along with periodic additional training while in-post. Regular team meetings take place at the start of every new exhibition. These briefings give the Front of House team, made up of the Gallery Assistants and Duty Managers, a chance to learn more about each exhibition, including the ideas and processes behind the work and the health and safety considerations for the exhibition. Please note that we are currently seeking team members on a casual basis only, however there may be future opportunities to move onto a contract with more hours and a regular salary. Successful candidates will be given a full induction into the role.

5 JOB DSCRIPTION GALLRY ASSISTANT (CASUAL) The South London Gallery is looking for people to work occasional shifts such as exhibition previews, special events, and covering for sickness for our regular Gallery Assistants. Gallery Assistants welcome visitors to the gallery, talking to them about exhibitions, events and the SLG archive and making recommendations about other things to do at the gallery and in the local area. They encourage visitors to return to the gallery in the future and become FANS of the gallery. Importantly, Gallery Assistants also look after the security of the artworks. Duties may include welcoming visitors, monitoring the gallery spaces and artworks, working on the front desk and attending to guests at events and private hires during the day, evenings or weekends. The role also involves performing gallery tours for visitors about current exhibitions and gallery history. You will particularly enjoy this opportunity if you are friendly, approachable, engaging and proactive. Ideal candidates will have previous experience of working with members of the public and an interest in, or desire to learn about, contemporary art. A commitment to learning about the SLG s programme is essential. Duties and Responsibilities Visitor Services: ensure all visitors are welcomed and provided with relevant information; deal with enquiries and give information about all aspects of the gallery, including current and forthcoming exhibitions, public and education events and activities, the building and facilities including the archive, shop and cafe, the gallery s history and mission, opportunities to support the gallery, and/or refer them to relevant members of staff or contact points at which they can obtain further information; and deal with any difficult situations in a calm and effective manner. Invigilation: ensure the protection of all art work and visitor safety in line with current risk assessments; be an informed and approachable representative of the South London Gallery; and conduct daily gallery tours. vents: with the Operations Manager and programming team, act as Front of House for events such as film screenings and performances. This includes queue management, ticketing and occasional offsite work. Reception and bookshop cover the bookshop/reception desk when required; provide a proactive and high level of customer service to bookshop customers to ensure a positive experience; maximise shop, edition and ticket sales as well as Fan membership sign-ups; answer the telephone and respond to general enquiries; ensure all deliveries are swiftly dealt with by the appropriate staff member and maintain an organised and tidy reception area; and keep up to date with staff by consulting the SLG calendar and be aware of staff diary schedules. General Responsibilities operate in accordance with the SLG s policies and procedures including safeguarding, employment, health and safety and equal opportunities; and to undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required.

6 Summary terms and conditions The rate of pay is per hour. After 9.30pm and on bank holidays, the rate of pay will be per hour. Annual leave is accrued at a rate of 11% of worked hours. This can be taken monthly, or saved and used within the financial year to March 31 st each year. Please note that an offer of employment is dependent upon the completion of a standard DBS check. PRSON SPCIFICATION: ABILITIS, SKILLS, XPRINC AND KNOWLDG Highly reliable and punctual at all times SSNTIAL ()/ DSIRABL (D) Ability to respond to situations proactively High attention to detail Ability to handle difficult situations calmly and sensitively Ability to work flexibly, in the evenings and at weekends Ability to work with a diverse range of visitors in a personable and friendly manner Some experience (formal or otherwise) of working in a customer or visitor facing environment Some experience (formal or otherwise) of working within a team Knowledge of or interest in the local area and/or contemporary art xperience of speaking to groups of people and giving tours Some experience (formal or otherwise) of working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults D D