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Arts Administrator

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

An arts administrator is responsible for managing the business and organisational aspects of arts organisations, such as theatres, galleries, museums, and festivals. Their duties may include budgeting, marketing, event planning, fundraising, and liaising with artists, performers, and the public. Arts administrators ensure that creative projects run smoothly and that organisations comply with relevant regulations and funding requirements. The role often involves working with a variety of stakeholders and requires strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills. While a degree in arts management or a related field is helpful, practical experience and a passion for the arts are highly valued in this career.

Arts Administrator

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Arts administrators in the UK typically earn between £20,000 and £35,000 per year, with senior roles reaching up to £50,000.

Employment Opportunities

There are approximately 2,500 arts administrator positions advertised annually across the UK, with opportunities in both large cities and rural areas.

Industry Growth

The creative industries, including arts administration, contributed around £115.9 billion to the UK economy in 2019 and have shown consistent growth.

🚀 Careers in this path

Gallery Manager

Oversees the daily operations and exhibitions of an art gallery, working with artists and curators to organise events and manage visitor experience.

Theatre Outreach Coordinator

Plans and delivers educational and community engagement programmes for a theatre, helping to increase access to the arts for young people and local groups.

Festival Programme Assistant

Supports the organisation and scheduling of performances and workshops at arts festivals, ensuring smooth running of events and liaising with artists and suppliers.

Explore the Arts Sector

Research Arts Organisations

Find out about different types of arts organisations and what they do.

Look into local galleries, museums, theatres, and arts charities. Read about their missions and activities by visiting their websites, reading annual reports, or attending open days. This will help you understand the variety of roles and the importance of administration in the arts sector.

Attend Arts Events

Go to exhibitions, performances, or workshops to see how events are organised.

By attending different arts events, you can observe how administrative teams manage ticketing, publicity, and visitor experience. It’s also a good idea to talk to staff or volunteers about their roles to get insider knowledge about the field.

Gain Relevant Experience

Volunteer or Intern

Get practical experience by volunteering or interning with an arts organisation.

Many arts organisations offer short-term placements or volunteer opportunities where you can assist with events, administration, or marketing. This hands-on experience is highly valued by employers and will help you build a network in the sector.

Develop Organisational Skills

Work on skills like planning, time management, and communication.

Arts administrators need to be organised and detail-oriented. Practice by organising a school event, helping with a community project, or managing a club. These experiences demonstrate your ability to handle responsibilities and work as part of a team.

Pursue Education and Apply for Roles

Study a Relevant Subject

Consider a degree or diploma in arts administration, arts management, or a related field.

While not always required, many arts administrators have a degree in arts management, business, event management, or the arts. Courses often include modules on fundraising, marketing, project management, and cultural policy, which are directly relevant to the role.

Apply for Entry-Level Jobs

Apply for positions such as Programme Assistant, Events Coordinator, or Gallery Administrator.

Look for job openings on arts job boards, local council websites, or the careers pages of arts organisations. Tailor your CV to highlight your experience, skills, and passion for the arts sector. Be prepared to start in a junior role and work your way up as you gain experience.

Available Apprenticeships

Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.

Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.

Business Administration Apprenticeship

CLASSIC CARS (UK) LTD

( Added 26 Jul 2022 - 1 position available )

There is opportunity to excel within the business to take on vehicle sales which is a client facing role. The role will involve multiple aspects relating to the motor trade business.

Closing date: in 9 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship

CLINICAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES LTD

( Added 08 May 2024 - 1 position available )

Are you on the lookout for a career that not only offers rewards but also provides ample opportunities for personal and professional growth? This might be the perfect fit for you! In this dynamic and ever-evolving field, you have the chance to establish yourself, develop a diverse skill set, and experience rapid career progression. Apply Now!

Closing date: in 23 days

Possible start date: 10 Nov 2025

Administrative Assistant Apprentice

Sunrise Nursery

( Added 10 May 2024 - 1 position available )

We are excited to offer an opportunity for an Administrative Assistant Apprentice to join our team and start your journey to develop valuable administrative skills while supporting the operation of our nursery. You will receive hands-on training to ensure your success in providing essential administrative support to our nursery staff and customers.

Closing date: in 23 days

Possible start date: 10 Nov 2025

Compliance and Business Administration Apprentice

ENVAR COMPOSTING LIMITED

( Added 04 Oct 2024 - 1 position available )

The Business Administrative Support Assistant is responsible for overseeing and maintaining compliance with the organisation's Management Systems (MS). This role includes the operation of the administrative systems and their oversight with training to enable development towards implementing and maintaining systems in the long term.

Closing date: in 1 month

Possible start date: 06 Jan 2026

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Current Career

Business administrator

Supporting and engaging with different parts of the organisation and interact with internal or external customers.

Advanced Careers

Assistant accountant

Carrying out routine financial activities and support for businesses and organisations of all types and sizes.

Mortgage advisor

Giving clients advice on appropriate mortgages and related protection products such as life insurance or sickness and unemployment insurance.

Improvement practitioner

Identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes.

Senior housing and property management

Managing housing or property related services, leading a team and taking responsibility for the cost effectiveness and efficiency of their business area.

Paralegal

Providing legal and administrative support, carrying out research and drafting legal documents and forms.

Chartered manager

Taking responsibility for long-term organisational success, managing people, projects, operations or services.

Associate project manager

Managing project work and teams for businesses and other organisations.

Procurement and supply chain practitioner

Buying the goods and services that enable an organisation to operate.

Team leader

Managing individuals, teams, or projects to meet private, public, or voluntary organisational goals.

Operations manager

Managing teams and projects in line with a private, public, or voluntary organisation's operational or departmental strategy.

Policy officer

Contribute to the development of policy.

Sample Qualifications

This career title most closely matches 'Arts administrator' as both roles involve overseeing arts-related projects, managing administrative tasks within arts institutions, and supporting the organisation and delivery of arts programmes. The responsibilities typically include coordination, planning, and communication within the arts sector, making them very similar in qualifications and skills required.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

University

Many arts administrators have a university degree but it's not essential.

Most subjects are useful but you may have an advantage with a degree in:

  • arts management
  • arts administration
  • events and entertainment management
  • business studies

Work experience at university

Employers value experience, knowledge and commitment to art as well as your degree.

You should try to get work experience through volunteering, placements, internships or year in industry schemes. Your university careers service can help you find work experience opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a course at college to get some of the skills you need to apply for trainee arts administrator roles.

As well as courses in creative or performing arts, you could also consider subjects like business administration and event management.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could train to become an arts administrator by doing an apprenticeship like:

  • Level 3 Business Administrator Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Level 3 Events Assistant Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

You could develop a network of contacts, volunteer or find temporary work to show employers you're committed to the arts.

You could:

  • help with student or community drama productions or concerts
  • work as a customer assistant at arts centres, cinemas or theatres
  • get involved in community arts festivals and projects

You can search for opportunities near you, with:

Direct Application

You could apply for jobs if you've got experience or qualifications in office administration, fundraising or marketing.

It would also be helpful if you can show you're interested or passionate about art.

More information

You can find more advice about working in the arts through Arts Council England and Creative Lives.

You can also find out about working in the creative industries from Discover Creative Careers.

Interested in More Career Paths?

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