Creative Director Bluecoat Centenary Job Liverpool area,England UK,Creative Arts/Media

Position: Creative Director Job Bluecoat Centenary Role

Creative Director Job Liverpool – Bluecoat Centenary Role

The Bluecoat is a landmark contemporary arts centre based in Liverpool, UK, and widely recognised as the first institution of its kind in the country. Established as an arts centre in 1927, it operates from a Grade I listed historic building dating back to 1716–17. Over nearly a century, the Bluecoat has functioned as a pioneering site for contemporary artistic production, interdisciplinary programming, and cultural experimentation.

Its historical significance includes early UK exhibitions of major modernist artists such as Picasso and Matisse (outside London), as well as hosting influential figures like Yoko Ono. It has also served as an incubator for major cultural organisations, including Liverpool Arab Arts Festival and the early formation of FACT. Today, it continues to operate as a multi‑artform cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, performances, participatory programmes, creative studios, and community‑driven initiatives.

The institution is entering a centenary phase (2027), positioning itself as a renewed leader in contemporary arts practice and institutional reinvention.

Title & Description Creative Director – Centenary Artistic Leadership (Five-Year Fixed Term)

This is a senior artistic leadership opportunity responsible for shaping and delivering the Bluecoat’s centenary year in 2027 and defining its long‑term artistic vision beyond 2028.

The Creative Director will join at a critical transitional moment: the centenary programme is already structurally in place, with commissioned strands, freelance leadership, and a planned relaunch of live programming. The primary responsibility is to unify these strands into a coherent, compelling artistic programme for 2027 while simultaneously establishing a forward‑looking programming model for the organisation’s next century.

The role is both curatorial and strategic: it requires artistic authority, producing capability, and the ability to work collaboratively across multi‑disciplinary teams. The centenary theme, “A Century of Breaking New Ground,” positions the organisation as a site of reflection, innovation, and institutional renewal.

Role Overview

Contract Type: 5‑year fixed‑term (renewable)
Salary: £50,000–£55,000 per year (depending on experience)
Line Management: Chief Executive
Working Model: Full‑time (37.5 hours/week), including evenings and weekends
Freelance Oversight: Responsible for commissioning and managing multiple freelance contributors during the centenary programme
Financial Responsibility: Programme budgeting and contribution to fundraising strategy
Location Requirement: Based in or near the North West UK (Liverpool commuting distance required)

Position & Tasks

Lead and integrate the 2027 centenary artistic framework into a unified programme
Design and implement a long‑term artistic vision for post‑centenary programming
Commission and curate exhibitions, performances, and cross‑disciplinary projects
Manage multi‑partner productions and ensure high‑level delivery standards
Build national and international partnerships
Oversee artist development and commissioning processes
Represent the organisation publicly as an artistic spokesperson
Contribute to fundraising, strategic planning, and board reporting
Support participation programmes and community engagement initiatives
Ensure alignment between artistic, operational, and financial objectives