Arts & Engagement Coordinator in Southampton

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Arts & Engagement Coordinator to support with the delivery of our Hospital Arts Programme. We are looking for a passionate and motivated individual to work as part of the Arts Team. This role will play a key part in delivering and developing Southampton Hospitals Charity’s arts programme across hospital sites. Acting as an ambassador for the Charity, you will represent the organisation, coordinate the day-to-day operation of the programme's activities, handle administrative tasks, and ensure smooth communication with staff, artists, and partner organisations. Strong organisational and communication skills are essential.

Main Responsibilities:

• Maintain a regular on site presence across hospital locations to support programme delivery, coordination, and relationship building.
• Deliver one-to-one bedside art sessions for patients who are unable to attend group workshops.
• Proactively promote art programmes across hospital wards and units to increase awareness, engagement, and participation among patients, visitors, and staff.
• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of all Charity led art workshops in collaboration with tutors and artists, including assisting with delivery and impact assessment.
• Assist with the day-to-day management of the art programme, ensuring schedules run smoothly and liaising in advance with Trust staff to prepare wards and patients for visits.
• Monitor, document, and report on the condition of artworks, murals, and installations across hospital sites, escalating issues where necessary.
• Support curatorial projects by coordinating the installation of new artworks, working with key stakeholders and hospital staff.
• Expand, maintain, and nurture a diverse and up-to-date network of artists to support programme delivery and future projects.
• Provide administrative support for Southampton Hospitals Charity’s art programmes, including scheduling, documentation, and correspondence.
• Collaborate closely with internal Charity and Trust teams, including Communications, Fundraising, Impact, and Engagement teams to ensure a collaborative approach.
• Contribute to evaluation and reporting of art programme outcomes, including qualitative feedback, case studies, and basic data collection to support impact reporting and funding requirements.
• Support with the governance, compliance and risk elements linked to the delivery of workshops or installation of artworks within and method statements for workshops, installations, and artist visits, in collaboration with Trust staff.
• Support volunteer coordination where relevant, including briefing, scheduling, and supervision during art activities or events.
• Contribute content to internal reports, newsletters, or relevant updates in collaboration with the Communications team.

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience coordinating or supporting arts programmes, projects, or participatory activities in a healthcare, community, education, or public-facing setting.
• Previous participatory arts experience within the candidate’s chosen artistic field.
• Experience contributing to arts projects, events, exhibitions, or workshops (e.g. visual arts, music, performance, dance).
• Experience working specifically within a healthcare or hospital setting.
• Knowledge of art therapy approaches, creative health practices, or arts-for-wellbeing methodologies.

Skills and Abilities:

• Willingness and ability to work five days per week in a hospital environment, including regular visits to different wards and units, with occasional weekend or out-of-hours working as required.
• High level of digital literacy, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Canva and confidence using web-based systems.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload in a busy environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage positively with patients, visitors, healthcare staff, artists, and volunteers.
• Strong interest in arts in health and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Personal Attributes:

• Flexible, resilient, and adaptable approach to working in a complex and sensitive setting.
• Clear passion for the arts and a strong commitment to improving wellbeing through creative engagement.
• Commitment to inclusive working, valuing diversity, and collaborative practice.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and a commitment to working safely with vulnerable or at-risk groups.