Festival Programmer? Enquire within . . .
Image by Rebecca McMillan Photography
We are looking for a passionate reader with a hankering to formulate conversations and experiences for our Verb Readers & Writers Festival 2022. You’ll be working with our wider team of Festival makers to create approximately 55 events that tell a story of the vibrant literary community of which we are a part. The full Position Description is printed below but can also be downloaded below (click on the button). Apply by Tuesday 7 December!
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
VERB READERS & WRITERS FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER 2022
Verb Readers & Writers Festival is scheduled to take place between the days Thursday 3 November - Sunday 6 November 2022 with LitCrawl Wellington to take place on Saturday 5 November as part of the Festival. In total the Festival should consist of approximately 55 events.
TERM
This is a fixed term contract position to work as the Festival programmer between January 2022 and November 2022. It will be part time with some full time hours throughout programme production ahead of the launch of the Festival and over the Festival itself.
LOCATION
Pōneke / Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington
OUR KAUPAPA:
To illuminate Aotearoa’s literary talent, both emerging and established, through a Festival platform that welcomes everyone.
OUR VALUES:
Manaakitanga: we exist because we respect and deeply care for Aotearoa’s writers and readers. We value the mana of all who connect with us and work to uplift our artists and audiences, partners and supporters.
Whanaungatanga: coming together to create experiences that value all of the contributions of our wider community, our team, and our advisors who we work closely with.
Whai Whakaaro: we create with thought, care and intentionality to ensure strength in what we offer and kindness to all.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To deliver the programme for the 2022 Verb Readers & Writers Festival, including LitCrawl Wellington, and work with Founders, Festival Producers and Festival Coordinator to deliver the Festival.
KEY CAPABILITIES
The key capabilities of the role are:
Ability to develop an artistic framework for a programme that serves our kaupapa and values.
Read widely across Aotearoa literatures including but not limited to journals, online collections, and independent publishers.
Work closely with the Artistic Advisory group who are in place to support programming and to support reading and in-depth knowledge of Aotearoa’s literary communities.
Draw on networks Verb has developed with publishers, editors, and literary collectives when shaping the programme and developing ideas.
Work as part of a team supporting the artistic vision and the artists that the programme is bringing into the festival.
Ability to create both imaginative and provocative events as well as events that can serve a broad audience base.
Key skills and attributes:
Passion for Aotearoa’s literary sector and the variety of literary communities within it
Ability to work to deadline
Ability to think creatively as well as utilise frameworks and parameters
Ability to work to budget
Ability to manage a programming budget
Attention to detail
Excellent organisational skills
Excellent management of information
Excellent communication skills
Knowledge of the literary sector
Calm under pressure
Collaborative approach
Strong office software skills including Word, Excel, Outlook (or equivalent). Experience in Office 365 is a plus. Training will be given for Festival-specific software.
GENERAL
The Festival Programmer will also be required to:
Write accurate and vibrant event copy for each event that the programmer creates, to deadline
Create and implement artist communications for marketing and administration
Work closely with the Founders, Producers and Festival Coordinator to manage the Festival grid
Describe each event in technical terms for the Production Managers
Be on the ground in the lead up to and over the Festival to help deliver the events
Work with Publicist to arrange media for Festival artists, and appear themselves in publicity opportunities as they arise, to promote the Festival
Other duties as directed by the Executive Director.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Festival Programmer is accountable to the producing team (Claire Mabey, Andrew Laking, Melanie Hamilton) who report to the Trust Board.
REMUNERATION
Part-time fixed term contract with a fee calculated at $71,000 pro rata Jan - November 2022.
TO APPLY
Please send us a letter telling us why you would like to join Verb and lead the programming. Please include any relevant programming experience. A short CV is welcome.
Please email to info@verbwellington.nz by 5pm Tuesday 7 December.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 14 December and shortlisted applicants will be asked to present an artistic vision.