Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) Coordinator
| Posting date: | 23 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,500 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 January 2026 |
| Location: | West Midlands, UK |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Ikon Gallery |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) Coordinator – Job Description
Overview
With the support of Freelands Foundation, over six years (2021-27) Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) navigates the waterways on board Slow Boat, a converted narrow boat. IYP collaborates with creative thinkers and makers to reimagine Slow Boat as a local art school. The group of young people, aged 16-21, has developed a regional route which explores the rich art school heritage of Birmingham and the West Midlands. Each year, Slow Boat travels 150 miles of canal network, with annual stop offs in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Tipton, Stourbridge, Smethwick and Coventry.
As a member of Ikon’s Education Team, and working in close liaison with the Slow Boat Coordinator, you will plan, deliver and evaluate the alternative arts curriculum offered by IYP. This includes coordinating existing and new partnerships with schools, colleges and universities located along the West Midlands canals. In dialogue with regional artists, you will facilitate access to Slow Boat as a creative studio for the production and display of new work in a variety of media, including ceramics, performance, printmaking and publishing. Through weekly meetings and annual reviews, you will hold space for the young people to be themselves, experimenting with the idea of an artistic identity, individually and as a collective.
Hours & Working Pattern
• Full-time, five days per week, including regular evening and occasional weekend working
• Required to delivery weekly IYP sessions between 5-7pm on Thursday evenings. Location and date/time is subject to change depending on the programme.
Key Competencies
We are looking for individuals who:
• Are responsible, reliable and calm under pressure
• Communicate effectively with Ikon teams, young people, project partners and funders
• Demonstrate strong administrative skills and attention to detail
• Are highly vigilant and proactive in maintaining safety and safeguarding
• Have a passion for contemporary art and art education
Main Responsibilities
IYP programming
• Collaborate with IYP to plan, deliver and evaluate weekly sessions and public events
• Produce the Slow Boat project timeline, planning a viable route around the West Midlands, coordinating artists, external partners and Ikon Staff
• Work in close liaison with the Slow Boat Coordinator to oversee the operation, logistics and maintenance of Ikon Slow Boat
• Share models of practice with sector peers through networking and presentations
• Organise public events in dialogue with IYP, delegating roles and responsibilities
• Oversee contractual processes for freelance artist educators, including DBS checks
• Coordinate the programme evaluation through annual reviews and publications
• Manage the recruitment and training of IYP, including the organisation of work experience opportunities and progression into salaried Front of House roles
Target & budget management
• Manage the programme budget with the Slow Boat Coordinator, frequently updating Ikon’s Head of Finance on expenditure whilst ensuring delivery within budget
• Monitor agreed targets and delivery within timescales
• Collect and record engagement figures for use in Ikon’s reporting to core and project funders
• Provide descriptions, testimonials and image content for quarterly reporting to the Ikon Board and of Trustees and twice-yearly reporting to the project funder
Partnership development
• Maintain and introduce new local authority, education and charity partners
• Develop partnerships with other arts organisations and youth programmes to contextualise the programme, share good practice and engage new audiences
Communications & documentation
• Contribute towards programming meetings with the Exhibitions and Education Teams to identify artists and educators
• Liaise with the Communications Team to market IYP exhibitions and events, recruit new members, issue press releases, share good news stories and create social media content
• Facilitate the creation of digital content in a variety of films, photographs and resources, ensuring photographic permissions and consent are in place
Health and Safety
• Write and implement risk assessments, maintaining a safe working environment
• Undertake training, including First Aid and Water Safety
• Respond proactively to emergencies and minimise risks
• Operate in accordance with Ikon’s employment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, GDPR, Equal Opportunities, Environment policies and procedures
• Undertake other duties as reasonably directed
Overview
With the support of Freelands Foundation, over six years (2021-27) Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) navigates the waterways on board Slow Boat, a converted narrow boat. IYP collaborates with creative thinkers and makers to reimagine Slow Boat as a local art school. The group of young people, aged 16-21, has developed a regional route which explores the rich art school heritage of Birmingham and the West Midlands. Each year, Slow Boat travels 150 miles of canal network, with annual stop offs in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Tipton, Stourbridge, Smethwick and Coventry.
As a member of Ikon’s Education Team, and working in close liaison with the Slow Boat Coordinator, you will plan, deliver and evaluate the alternative arts curriculum offered by IYP. This includes coordinating existing and new partnerships with schools, colleges and universities located along the West Midlands canals. In dialogue with regional artists, you will facilitate access to Slow Boat as a creative studio for the production and display of new work in a variety of media, including ceramics, performance, printmaking and publishing. Through weekly meetings and annual reviews, you will hold space for the young people to be themselves, experimenting with the idea of an artistic identity, individually and as a collective.
Hours & Working Pattern
• Full-time, five days per week, including regular evening and occasional weekend working
• Required to delivery weekly IYP sessions between 5-7pm on Thursday evenings. Location and date/time is subject to change depending on the programme.
Key Competencies
We are looking for individuals who:
• Are responsible, reliable and calm under pressure
• Communicate effectively with Ikon teams, young people, project partners and funders
• Demonstrate strong administrative skills and attention to detail
• Are highly vigilant and proactive in maintaining safety and safeguarding
• Have a passion for contemporary art and art education
Main Responsibilities
IYP programming
• Collaborate with IYP to plan, deliver and evaluate weekly sessions and public events
• Produce the Slow Boat project timeline, planning a viable route around the West Midlands, coordinating artists, external partners and Ikon Staff
• Work in close liaison with the Slow Boat Coordinator to oversee the operation, logistics and maintenance of Ikon Slow Boat
• Share models of practice with sector peers through networking and presentations
• Organise public events in dialogue with IYP, delegating roles and responsibilities
• Oversee contractual processes for freelance artist educators, including DBS checks
• Coordinate the programme evaluation through annual reviews and publications
• Manage the recruitment and training of IYP, including the organisation of work experience opportunities and progression into salaried Front of House roles
Target & budget management
• Manage the programme budget with the Slow Boat Coordinator, frequently updating Ikon’s Head of Finance on expenditure whilst ensuring delivery within budget
• Monitor agreed targets and delivery within timescales
• Collect and record engagement figures for use in Ikon’s reporting to core and project funders
• Provide descriptions, testimonials and image content for quarterly reporting to the Ikon Board and of Trustees and twice-yearly reporting to the project funder
Partnership development
• Maintain and introduce new local authority, education and charity partners
• Develop partnerships with other arts organisations and youth programmes to contextualise the programme, share good practice and engage new audiences
Communications & documentation
• Contribute towards programming meetings with the Exhibitions and Education Teams to identify artists and educators
• Liaise with the Communications Team to market IYP exhibitions and events, recruit new members, issue press releases, share good news stories and create social media content
• Facilitate the creation of digital content in a variety of films, photographs and resources, ensuring photographic permissions and consent are in place
Health and Safety
• Write and implement risk assessments, maintaining a safe working environment
• Undertake training, including First Aid and Water Safety
• Respond proactively to emergencies and minimise risks
• Operate in accordance with Ikon’s employment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, GDPR, Equal Opportunities, Environment policies and procedures
• Undertake other duties as reasonably directed
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