Artistic Programmer

Booking & Commercial Management

• Manage the day-to-day programming process from initial research and enquiry through to agreed booking.
• Liaise and negotiate with artists, agents and promoters regarding availability, fees, guarantees, ticket-sale splits and other proposed terms.
• Assess potential bookings for artistic suitability, audience potential, operational deliverability and financial viability.
• Prepare or contribute to event projections, considering artist costs, ticket pricing, anticipated sales, capacity and relevant delivery costs.
• Work within agreed programming budgets and delegated authority, referring decisions requiring approval to the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager.
• Work closely with the Bookings Officer to ensure agreed bookings progress efficiently through contracting, administration and record keeping.
• Monitor ticket sales and financial performance and identify risks or opportunities to the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager.

Audience Development & Marketing

• Use ticketing data, attendance, audience feedback and previous event performance to inform future programming decisions.
• Identify opportunities to develop existing audiences and attract new audiences.
• Consider accessibility, affordability, representation and barriers to participation when developing the programme.
• Work closely with the Communications Team to support effective marketing and promotion of programmed events.
• Provide accurate and timely programme, artist and promotional information to relevant colleagues.

Operational Delivery

• Work collaboratively with the Deputy Arts Centre Manager, Bookings Officer, technical teams and other colleagues to ensure programmed activity can be delivered effectively.
• Consider technical requirements, venue capacity, staffing, scheduling and accessibility when assessing potential bookings.
• Ensure operational colleagues receive appropriate information about upcoming events and visiting companies.
• Identify potential programming or delivery issues at an early stage and work collaboratively to resolve them.
• Provide artist and promoter liaison where specialist programming knowledge is required.

Monitoring, Partnerships & Development

• Monitor and evaluate programme performance using ticket sales, attendance, income, audience feedback and other relevant information.
• Use evaluation and market intelligence to inform future programming recommendations.
• Develop positive relationships with cultural organisations, community partners and other venues.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative programming, partnerships and wider cultural activity.
• Contribute to strengthening Bridgwater's cultural profile and support wider Council-led cultural and community initiatives where programming expertise would add value.
• Provide information and analysis to support the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager with service and Council reporting.

C. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carry out duties in accordance with Bridgwater Town Council policies, procedures and delegated authority.
• Ensure no contractual or financial commitment is entered into without appropriate authority.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within programming.
• Support the Council's environmental and sustainability objectives.
• Take reasonable care for health and safety and work with operational colleagues to identify and manage relevant risks.
• Represent Bridgwater Town Council professionally when working with artists, agents, promoters, partners and members of the community.
• Maintain accurate records and appropriately manage confidential and commercially sensitive information.
• Work flexibly where required, including occasional evening and weekend activity associated with performances, showcases and sector events.
• Undertake other duties reasonably required and commensurate with the nature and level of the post.

D. PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience of programming, booking, producing or coordinating live performance, entertainment, arts or cultural activity.
• Experience of working with artists, agents, promoters, producers or touring companies.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the live performance, entertainment or cultural sector.
• Experience of negotiating fees, bookings or commercial arrangements.
• Experience of working with budgets and assessing the financial viability of events or programming.
• Understanding of the relationship between programming, audiences, marketing and ticket sales.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within arts and cultural activity.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strong artistic and creative judgement.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance artistic ambition with audience demand, community benefit and financial sustainability.
• Strong negotiation, communication and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent organisation and forward-planning skills.
• Ability to interpret financial, ticketing and audience information.
• Ability to work independently within agreed authority while working collaboratively with the Town Hall & Arts Centre Manager and wider venue team.

Desirable

• Experience of programming across multiple art forms or entertainment genres.
• Experience within a theatre, arts centre, receiving venue or similar cultural organisation.
• Experience of theatre, music, comedy, family entertainment, festival or community arts programming.
• Existing professional networks within the arts, entertainment or touring sectors.
• Experience of audience development and using ticketing data to inform programming.
• Experience of partnership or collaborative cultural activity.
• Experience of working within local government, a charity or community-focused organisation.