Activate Performing Arts Freelance Marketing Assistant

If you are as passionate about audiences as we are, and a great communicator, then this could be the contract for you.

Within the Activate core staff team, we have a female leadership and a broad mix of people with lived experience of caring responsibilities, disability/long-term health conditions and being from a working-class background. To read more about our core staff team go to: www.activateperformingarts.org.uk/meet-the-team/

We’re used to working with freelancers and offer flexibility and a friendly team to work alongside.

We particularly welcome applications from people who have experienced barriers or prejudice relating to their age, gender identity, ethnicity and/or having a disability or long-term health condition, their sexuality, or being from a working class/ low-income background.

We are keen to bring different voices and lived experiences into our extended team, through positive action in our recruitment.

 

The Basics

Reports to: Marketing & Communications Manager

Location: Hybrid working / Dorchester office (expectations are 1 day per week in Dorchester office and during the festival period, 12-21 Sept, full availability across all Dorset festival sites each day).

Deadline: Monday 2^nd June at 12:00 midday

Interviews: Monday 16^th June 2025

Ideal start: 14^th July 2025

Contract term: 14^th July – 30^th September 2025

Fee: £4,375 fixed fee

Expenses: Travel expenses can be reimbursed. Accommodation and per diems will be provided where overnight stays away from home are required.

Tax: As a freelancer, you are responsible for your own tax.

Delivery: We expect the services to be delivered over approximately 25 days.

To apply: Online application form. You can submit answers in alternative formats such as video and audio using the application form.

 

About Us

We exist to promote, support and produce performing arts projects in our communities. Bringing world-class events to unexpected places, like town centres, village squares, beaches and hilltops. And we’ve been doing it for over 30 years.

Our aim is to break down barriers and reach the widest possible audiences, while celebrating our natural landscape and sense of place.

Supporting our performing arts community is at the heart of everything we do. We bring people together, offer advice, and provide access to learning and resources. We’re here to help creatives at all levels on their journey towards creating outstanding, inspiring work. We offer 121 free advice sessions and run training programmes for artists working in the performing arts.

We run an inclusive performance group for children and young people called The Remix, and our Dorset Youth Dance company offering contemporary classes for 5-25 year olds wanting to pursue their passion.

Our Inside Out Dorset festival presents extraordinary events in extraordinary locations. It is free to attend and takes place outdoors. We showcase UK and European theatre and dance artists in events across Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in a mix of countryside, coastal and urban locations, we attract audiences of around 20,000 each festival.

We also produce and tour the work of 2 Dorset based companies: Lorna Rees and The Working Boys Club to festivals and events in the UK.

 

About You

Essential things we are looking for are below:

• You love working as part of a small and friendly team
• You have a passion for the arts
• You have strong attention to detail and creative flair
• You’re tech-savvy and know your way around Facebook and Instagram
• You have excellent communication and time management skills
• You are super organised and love working to a high standard
• You share our belief that ‘Anything’s possible. And everyone’s invited.’

Things which would be useful for you to have but are not essential:

• Experience of working with artists
• Good knowledge of accessible marketing
• Ideally you will be available for the festival dates 12^th – 21^st September 2025
• The festival takes place across Dorset, Bournemouth, and Christchurch.
• Having your own transport is a huge advantage and travel costs will be reimbursed.

 

Services Description

Supporting our Marketing & Communications Manager you will:

• Manage regular posting on Activate and Inside Out Dorset social media accounts
• Develop campaigns and content for our social channels and website
• Research audiences and relevant communication channels based on our audience development plan
• Take photos / film at Inside Out Dorset events
• Create written content for print and digital materials
• Undertake desk research and administration tasks
• Gather data through analytics tools
• Distribute posters, flyers and brochures to various locations across Dorset
• Contact partner organisations to help share festival information
• Put together promotional packs for tourism providers and local businesses.

 

Equality & Diversity

• We wholeheartedly support equal opportunities in all areas of our work. We strive to be a bold organisation that listens to the communities we work with. We encourage feedback on our services and how we can improve.
• We are committed to removing barriers. We oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination in relation to the protected characteristics. We are committed to having a staff and board that reflects and represents all sections of the community we serve and eliminating discrimination that is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
• We will guarantee an interview to any D/deaf or disabled candidate who fulfils the essential criteria for the role – please tell us in your application form or video. We are open to proposals of ways this role might be undertaken if our proposed structure presents barriers to any applicant.
• The interview panel will be representative of a diverse range of individuals.
• Application forms will be anonymised for short-listing.