Galleries Interpreter

Job Title: Galleries Interpreter

Location: Salford

Salary: £10.63 p/h

Job Type: Part time (13 hours per week, 2 days per week)

About the role:

To be considered for this role please ensure that you follow the link to The Lowry website and submit cover letter and CV. Applications not submitted via The Lowry website cannot be considered

We are looking for a Gallery Interpreter who will be provide a confident exhibition interpretation and is comfortable with front of house invigilation and welcome desk duties. The successful candidate requires a positive and pro-active approach to visitor engagement.

In this role, you will be a key source of information for visitors, with specialist knowledge of current and future exhibitions, as well as keeping up to date with events and activities in other areas of The Lowry.

Weekly alternating working pattern:

• Thursday and Friday
• Saturday and Sunday

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor all exhibits ensuring they are in good condition. To report any missing, faulty or damaged artworks to a Team Leader and/or Head of Galleries.
• Check that the gallery is correctly lit, and the Fire Exits are completely free of obstruction. Report any problems to a Team Leader and/or Head of Galleries.
• Be responsible for the safety of visitors in the galleries during opening hours, remaining constantly vigilant and knowing where the alarm points are and the means of escape from your area.
• Approach visitors politely and offer assistance with exhibition interpretation, sharing background information, encouraging opinion and furnishing visitors with the means and confidence to voice their own thoughts, preferences and even dislikes.
• Deal with disruptive visitors politely but firmly and where necessary contact a Team Leader and/or Head of Galleries for assistance.
• Be responsible for enforcing film and photography copyright requirements as appropriate.
• Cover the Galleries Welcome Desk as and when required, meeting and greeting visitors and providing information about the gallery offer.
• Encourage donations ensuring visitors are aware of the Lowry’s charitable status and what donations are used for.
• Taking information from visitors for gift aid purposes, accurately recording personal details.
• Familiarise yourself with The Lowry Collection and the themes and content of special exhibitions.
• Liaise with the Head of Galleries and Access and Interpretation Manager on appropriate ideas and methods that support tailored and proactive 1-2-1 visitor engagement.
• Provide visitors with insights and ‘points of entry’ for each different special exhibition and for the Lowry Collection. This may include conversation themes, responses to likely questions, discussion points, supporting material and formal/informal activities.
• Deliver or assist in the delivery of programmed tours and talks to a variety of audiences, including families and school groups.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to research art history and practice.
• Excellent team player.
• Confident, proactive, enthusiastic.
• Commitment to meeting visitor needs.
• Awareness of the service and access needs of Gallery visitors.
• Awareness of the issues and challenges associated with engaging with young people and harder to reach groups.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity.
• Previous experience of working with the public.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to working hours that will include some evening and weekend work.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Relevant and current Vulnerable Adult and Child Protection issues.
• A knowledge of modern and contemporary visual arts and design.
• Working in the museums and galleries sector.
• Experience of working in a learning environment.

Benefits and package:

• Complimentary and discounted theatre and live event tickets.
• Free car parking at MediaCityUK just a few minutes’ walk from The Lowry building.
• Generous annual leave entitlement – including your birthday off!
• Discounts at the bars, restaurant and gift shop located within The Lowry building.

Please note that MediaCityUK is a well-connected destination with a variety of different transport options – bus, car, tram and bike.

The application deadline for this vacancy is 10am Friday 2nd December 2022. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 13th December 2022.

The Lowry is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we strive to reflect and represent the full breadth of the community we serve across our workforce. We proactively work to achieve greater diversity in the areas of gender, race, disability, sexuality, socio-economic background, faith and age.

If you’re interested in the role and would like to put yourself forward please hit APPLY. Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Interpreter, Galleries Interpreter, Customer Service, Galleries Host, Team Leader may, Galleries Manager may also be considered for this role.