Vacancy at Modern Art Oxford
Please note that this is a bank staff role. Hours of work are as and when required, by mutual agreement on a 4 week rota. These may periodically increase or decrease depending on the requirements of the Gallery. The candidate will receive two weeks notice of any changes to their hours. They will be expected to work evenings and weekends.
- Welcome visitors to the exhibitions/events and explain the information available, the layout of the show, MAO facilities, guidance to follow, etc.
- Assist visitors with information by actively engaging in discussion about the current exhibitions/events. Suggesting other sources of information where required, for example our resources, talks and events.
- Assist all visitors in accordance with MAO’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, anticipating the needs wherever possible for every visitor.
- Ensure that children are encouraged to enjoy the exhibitions and they are kept in-hand and do not hinder other visitors’ experience or damage the work on show.
- Direct and manage large groups according to the guidelines for each exhibition and be able to give a brief introduction of the exhibition to groups of visitors.
- Be aware of visitors with access and disability issues and how to help them.
- Attend training sessions and gallery tours by the curator prior to the opening of each show as arranged. Read printed material supplied in order to become familiar with the current exhibitions, future exhibitions and the history of MAO in support of the training sessions .
- Encourage visitor feedback via comments cards and surveys, alerting the Duty Manager of any complaints. Deal with all visitor feedback in a calm and professional manner. Conduct daily counts of visitors when required.
- Promote all areas of the gallery: shop, café, events programme, Friends membership and encourage visitors to donate to the gallery.
- Hospitality and bar support during events.
- Assist with and read the risk assessment for each exhibition/event and ensure that the control measures in place in respect to VE Team members are adhered to at all times.
- Follow the instructions for each exhibition – this includes following strict rules that are in place for insurance purposes e.g. some areas must not be left unattended at any time.
- Ensure that, as appropriate, visitors do not touch works of art or act in any way that might cause damage to them.
- Become familiar with the appearance and condition of the works and report any change in condition or malfunction of equipment, to the Duty Manager as quickly as possible.
- Assist Duty Manager in turning on / off of exhibitions.
- Help ensure that the galleries are ready for visitors at opening times, all information holders are well stocked and that equipment is functioning. Alert the Duty Manager of any problems.
- Ensure that visitors respect any requirements for each exhibition with regard to filming and photography, and that food and drinks are not consumed in the galleries.
- Make sure the galleries are kept clean and tidy throughout the day.
- Monitor environmental conditions in the galleries and report any changes to the Duty Manager and assist with humidity equipment settings.
- Report to the Duty Manager any issues of concern with respect to health and safety or security of staff, visitors and the building.
- Assist the Duty Manager as directed in the event of an evacuation of the building.
- Check radios and tablets have been issued and returned on charge.
- Encourage VE Volunteers to reach the daily targets for surveys.
- Cover breaks for Shop and Cafe as required.
- Assist Duty Manager with set up of events as required e.g. Previews, VIP Dinners.
- Experience of delivering excellent customer service to a wide range of customers/visitors in different situations.
- Safe manual handling experience. Carrying chairs and moving tables/ event furniture.
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Proactive and willing to adapt to changing roles with each exhibition or event.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
- Trained, or willingness to be trained, as a first aider.
- Health and safety training/awareness.
- Manual handling training/awareness.
- Experience of using Audio/Visual (Technical) equipment.
- Awareness of dealing with visitors with specific access needs
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and interviews planned accordingly.
Holiday
The Modern Art Oxford holiday year runs from 1st April to 31 March. Annual holiday entitlement will accrue at 0.127 hours for each hour worked and paid quarterly at the hourly rate.
Modern Art Oxford is one of the UK’s most exciting and influential contemporary art organisations, renowned for its bold and ambitious artistic programme that promotes diversity and internationalism and celebrates contemporary art as a progressive agent of social change.
Founded in 1965, it is the only public institution dedicated to contemporary visual arts in Oxford and plays a central role in the city’s cultural landscape.
Modern Art Oxford welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year with 10,000 attendances in creative learning and participation activities. The organisation’s digital content reaches 450,000 through Modern Art Oxford’s digital channels annually. Through a wide range of high-quality content creation and programming, Modern Art Oxford aims to make contemporary art accessible and engaging to the widest audience and to promote creativity in all of its visual forms. Over the last 50 years Modern Art Oxford has brought some of the world’s most important artists to the city, and the UK, and has developed an international reputation for pioneering emerging and under-represented artists.
Modern Art Oxford is a registered charity and relies on core funding from Arts Council England and Oxford City Council, and the generous support of individuals, trusts and foundations, sponsors and friends.
Organisational Values
Modern Art Oxford aspires to the following values as an employer and organisation:
Welcoming
We are inclusive, caring, and respectful.
Ambitious
We are creative, resourceful and aspire to excellence.
Collaborative
We are dedicated to learning and are responsive and curious.
Conscientious
We act with integrity and are socially engaged and accountable.
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| Visitor Engagement Assistant - Bank Staff_Candidate Pack_July 2023 | Visitor_Engagement_Assistant_-_Bank_Staff_Candidate_Pack_July_2023.docx |