Creative Practitioner

Barbican Theatre Plymouth Part-time, fixed term for 12 months | £28,080 per year (pro rated to £14,040, 0.5FTE)

Join Barbican Theatre as our Creative Practitioner

Barbican Theatre Plymouth is looking for a warm, creative and committed practitioner to help deliver our participation programmes with young people, adults and communities.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who believes in the power of creativity to build confidence, skills, wellbeing and connection. You will work closely with our Executive Producer to deliver creative workshops, classes, projects and sharing opportunities, both at Barbican Theatre and in community and outreach settings.

We are a values-led charity committed to inclusivity, creativity and community impact. We nurture talent, amplify underrepresented voices and create opportunities for people to take part, develop and feel a sense of belonging.

Our values are:

People Focused | Respect | Inclusivity | Integrity | Ambition | Collaboration

As Creative Practitioner, you will support and deliver creative activity for a wide range of participants. This may include young people, adults, community groups and people who face barriers to participation.

You will help create welcoming, safe and engaging spaces where people feel supported to explore their creativity and take part in meaningful experiences.

The role will include:

• Facilitating and supporting workshops, classes, rehearsals and creative projects

• Working with participants in both venue-based and community settings

• Supporting co-created activity shaped by participants and communities

• Helping participants build confidence, creativity, skills and connection

• Supporting performances, sharing events and public-facing outcomes

• Working sensitively with vulnerable young people and adults

• Helping to remove barriers to participation and respond to access and wellbeing needs

• Supporting session planning, set-up, attendance tracking, feedback and evaluation

• Contributing to communication with participants, families, partners and freelancers

• Supporting wider organisational activity where your skills and capacity are useful

This is a varied and adaptive role in a small, collaborative organisation. We are looking for someone who is happy to combine creative delivery with the practical work that helps programmes run well.

About you

You will be someone who can build trust, create inclusive creative spaces and work positively with participants, colleagues and partners.

You will bring:

• Experience of facilitating creative, participatory, community, youth or adult activity

• Experience of working with vulnerable young people and/or adults

• Experience of working with underrepresented individuals, groups or communities

• An understanding of inclusive, person-centred and co-created practice

• The ability to build positive and respectful relationships with participants

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Good organisational skills and a willingness to support administration, monitoring and evaluation

• Awareness of safeguarding, professional boundaries, access needs and participant wellbeing

• A flexible, reliable and collaborative approach

• A strong commitment to Barbican Theatre’s values

Your creative practice might be rooted in theatre, dance, movement, music, writing, visual arts, digital work or a combination of disciplines. We are open to different creative backgrounds and are particularly interested in people who can bring their own experience, perspective and approach to the role.

Experience in schools, youth work, community settings, wellbeing programmes, outreach, Arts Award, performances or creative learning would be welcome, but is not essential.

Why work with us?

Barbican Theatre is entering an important next stage of its development. We are focused on building a sustainable, inclusive and welcoming creative organisation that meets people where they are and responds to the needs of our communities.

You will be joining a small and committed team, with the opportunity to contribute ideas, shape activity and make a real difference to the people who take part in our work.

We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment and welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in the arts and cultural sector.

Safeguarding

This role involves working with young people and potentially vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be expected to follow Barbican Theatre’s safeguarding, health and safety, equality and participant care procedures.

An appropriate DBS check will be required for this role.

How to apply

Please send:

• Your CV.

• A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4/an audio file of no more than 3 minutes/a video of no more than 3 minutes explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the requirements.

• Contact details for two referees.

Please submit your application via https://forms.gle/XPpcD7AQ9G5U3wJD6 by Tuesday 30th June at 5pm. 

If you’d like an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact Sally Burne - sally@barbicantheatre.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

Barbican Theatre welcomes enquiries from individuals interested in joining our Board of Trustees. We are committed to an open and inclusive process, seeking people who share our passion for creativity, community, and positive change. Whether you have experience in finance, fundraising, governance, the arts, or bring fresh perspectives from other sectors, we’d love to hear from you. If you're curious about what being a trustee involves and how you could contribute, get in touch—we’re always open to conversations about shaping the future of Barbican Theatre together. Email claire@barbicantheatre.co.uk to arrange an informal chat.

Are you passionate about Theatre? Do you enjoy varied artistic tasks? Do you have a flair for working with people? Do you enjoy being part of a creative team? Then a volunteering role at the Barbican Theatre Plymouth may be just the ticket!

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to:

✨ Support live performances and events

✨ Welcome and assist audiences

✨ Gain experience in a dynamic theatre setting

✨ Meet like-minded people and be part of our creative community

No two days at the Barbican Theatre are ever the same, from diverse performances, incredible youth and community theatre, as well as exciting outdoor events, being a Volunteer will provide you with opportunities to learn more about the arts, become part of a team and to support and develop a local charitable arts organisation!

If you fit the bill, please fill in this form. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

(Volunteers must be aged 18+ and will need to undertake a DBS check prior to starting)

As an organisation, we are committed to following our Safer Recruitment policy in order to ensure the safety and protection of all participants. Barbican Theatre Plymouth ensure that:

It is the policy of Barbican Theatre, Plymouth that all employees, contractors and volunteers who will work with young people undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Baring Service.

All applicants to any paid or volunteer roles must have an existing DBS or provide information for us to process a DBS.

No individual may work or volunteer with Barbican Theatre Plymouth without the return of a clear and current DBS

Barbican Theatre considers a recent DBS to be one done in the last 2 years

If an employee, trustee or volunteer does not have a clear DBS, they will

Any concerns about the suitability of applicants during the recruitment process must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer who will investigate the claim

If concerns arise once a staff member or volunteer has started their role, they will be temporarily suspended from working with young people and vulnerable adults whilst the claims are investigated

All new staff and volunteers must undergo Safeguarding and Child Protection training prior to starting their role