20 Stories High
Artistic Director
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About 20 Stories High
20 Stories High believe that “everybody’s got a story to tell… and their own way of telling it.” We create bold, excellent theatre, music and art experiences with and for culturally diverse, working-class, disabled, neurodivergent, d/Deaf, LGBTIQA+ young people (13-30) and community groups (all ages), emerging artists, and world-class professionals. We tell stories that bring joy, empower, and enable social change - inhabiting a wide variety of spaces: from theatres, community centres, and schools to digital platforms, living rooms, and bus stops. Our heart is in Liverpool, but our reach is universal. We are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England and have built a national reputation for co-creation, innovation, and activism. We champion Hip Hop, spoken word, music, and storytelling that reflects our communities. Our work is joyful, inclusive, political - and always rooted in the lived experiences of the people we make it with.
About the role
This role is about shaping the artistic future of 20 Stories High in partnership with the Executive Director, Associate Director and the team. Championing new voices, developing the next generation of artists and ensuring our work continues to challenge, celebrate and reflect the communities we work alongside.
Co-creation, inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We want a leader who shares these values while bringing fresh artistic thinking, ambitious ideas and the confidence to lead change.
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Our work is rooted in relationships, so we believe our Artistic Director should live in, or within easy daily reach of the Liverpool City Region. We want someone who will immerse themselves in the creative life of the city: building connections, discovering artists and helping shape Liverpool's cultural future.
At the heart of this role are two ambitions:
- To create bold, ambitious theatre and artistic experiences with and for young people (aged 13-30) and communities (meaning excluded community groups of any age)
- To champion culturally diverse, working class, d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ artists, opening doors, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for the next generation of creatives and leaders
In your first few years, success might look like:
- Developing a distinctive artistic vision that excites audiences, inspires artists and reflects the energy and diversity of Liverpool City Region.
- Working alongside the Executive Director to lead a confident, resilient and thriving organisation.
- Creating exceptional, professional theatre and creative experiences in a variety of spaces including theatres, community and outreach settings.
- Building meaningful pathways for emerging artists to develop and flourish within and outside of 20 Stories High.
- Growing an ambitious variety of partnerships that strengthen our impact locally, nationally and internationally, for example educational institutions, commercial companies and arts organisations.
- 20 Stories High continuing to be one of the UK's leading young people’s theatre companies.
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Ambitions for the future
As we enter our third decade, we're shaping an ambitious future for 20 Stories High. We're exploring how we can deepen our impact, reach new audiences and continue creating bold, socially relevant work with young people and communities.
We're looking for an Artistic Director who will help shape that future by:
- Growing our co-creation practice with young people and sharing our practice with individuals and companies across the country.
- Experimenting with live theatre, art forms and digital innovations to ensure our work is relevant and contemporary.
- Continuing to champion equity, diversity, inclusion and access in all we do, and to influence the sector to be as fair and representative as possible.
- Building new partnerships that strengthen our artistic ambition and long-term sustainability.
For more information, please visit our website: www.20storieshigh.org.uk
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