Job opportunity - Art School Lead

Job opportunity with TOMA - Art School Lead

 
 

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH TOMA

Download this job opportunity as a PDF HERE.

Job Title: TOMA Art School Lead
Contract Type: Freelance
Duration: 12 months from January 2026 until December 2026, to be renewed at end of contract term.
Fee: £200/day | 2.5 days per week | £2,000/month | £24,000 p/y

NB// TOMA works from a shared rate card which means everyone at TOMA gets paid the same for working on the programme. This rate card will increase from £165 per day to £200 per day from December 2025.

NB// Availability for TOMA Board away weekend essential inclusive from Friday 23 January 2026 evening until Sunday 25 January 2026 evening.

Deadline to apply: 10 October 2025 @ 6pm
Interviews will be held in Southend: 1st round Tuesday 21 October 2025, 2nd round Tuesday 28 October 2025

Overview

The Other MA (TOMA) is an 18-month artist-run education model based in Southend-on-Sea that supports artists who have faced barriers accessing traditional art education and the broader art world. TOMA was established in 2016 in partnership with Metal Southend. Since 2020 we have been operating independently as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and have become a vital part of the region’s cultural ecology.

We are seeking an Art School Lead to take on the leadership, delivery and strategic growth of the organisation and TOMA education programme. This role is central to maintaining the high quality of our learning programme while actively contributing to shaping our long-term vision and sustainability. The position involves both hands-on programme coordination and strategic development. An initial period of the role will be dedicated to organisational development, working with the Fundraising & Partnership Lead and TOMA board to reflect on ten years of TOMA to shape the next iteration of the school and school year. The next period of work will include the recruitment of artist participants for the school alongside leadership, management and delivery activities of the organisation, school and evaluation. 

The role would suit someone based in Southend or South Essex who is familiar with the local creative landscape and able to both work in-person at The Old Waterworks and remotely.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Development & Organisational Leadership

  • Lead TOMA’s strategic planning and future direction with support from the TOMA Board and Fundraising and Partnerships Lead.

  • Build and maintain relationships with artists, funders, community organisations, and other stakeholders to support TOMA’s development.

  • Work collaboratively to support long-term sustainability.

Programme Leadership & Delivery

  • Ensure TOMA’s ethos centred on collaboration, equity, access, transparency and sustainability, is embedded across all activities.

  • Lead on the recruitment of new TOMA artist cohort including related admin; open call, interviews, feedback to interviewees.

  • Shape and lead the delivery of the TOMA Art School programme including; planning, recruitment of visiting artists/practitioners/staff, session coordination, and duty of care for staff and cohort.

  • Develop and implement curriculum content in collaboration with the TOMA Board. Host regular programme sessions; welcome and manage visiting artists, coordinate logistics, and serve as point of contact for participants and visiting artists/practitioners.

  • Maintain and manage the Google Classroom platform including; timetables, resources, surveys, and communication.

  • Support the organisation and delivery of TOMA Art School exhibitions, in collaboration with a freelance curator, ensuring artist participants gain hands-on experience while meeting high public presentation standards.

  • Present to the board in quarterly meetings.

Evaluation & Administration

  • Lead on programme evaluation, data collection, and assist with reporting to funders and partners with Fundraising and Partnership Lead.

  • Uphold and contribute to the development of TOMA’s accessibility, care and climate-conscious pillars and policies.

  • Work with an accountant to ensure bookkeeping is up to date and complete statutory accounts, do payment runs and be in charge of budgets.

Communication & Advocacy

  • Support the promotion of TOMA activities across digital platforms (e.g. newsletters, social media).

  • Represent and advocate for TOMA in the wider region and nationally.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

  • Prepare and maintain risk assessments and relevant health & safety policies.

  • Keep up to date with best practices, including first aid and safeguarding procedures.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Experience in artist-led education and/or grassroots cultural initiatives.

  • Proven ability to coordinate programmes and support diverse creative communities.

  • Strong organisational and communication skills.

  • Committed to inclusive, accessible, and sustainable working practices.

Desirable

  • A practising artist with teaching experience.

  • Based in or near Southend-on-Sea.

  • Familiarity with alternative art education models.

  • Experience with digital tools such as Google Workspace, social media platforms, and content scheduling.

Contract Details

  • Reports to: TOMA Board

  • Contract Type: Freelance

  • Duration: 12 months from January to December 2026. NB// Availability for Board away weekend essential inclusive from Friday 23 January 2025 evening until Sunday 25 January 2025 evening.

  • Fee: £200/day | 2.5 days per week | £2,000/month | £24,000 p/y

  • Working Hours: 2.5 days per week is suggested, with weekend and evening working taking place on a regular basis during ‘term-time’. Flexibility is encouraged at other times to support your wellbeing and match time-dependent activity. We encourage hours worked to be logged.

  • Notice Period: 1 month

To Apply:
Please send a short statement (up to 500 words) explaining your interest and suitability for the role, along with a CV or portfolio, to info@toma-art.com. Please include all information in a PDF which does not exceed 10MB. 

For any questions about the role email emma@toma-art.com.