At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects that engage communities and promote wellbeing through the arts.
- Company: WHALE Arts, a vibrant community-focused organisation in Wester Hailes.
- Benefits: Freelance fee of £9663.80 over 12 months with opportunities for mentorship.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse partners and enjoy a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your artistic practice.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in community arts, mentoring experience, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Accountable to WHALE Arts Head of Engagement.
Personnel responsible for Emerging Artist.
Location: WHALE Arts Centre and other locations across Wester Hailes.
Hours of work: 211 hrs / 26.4 days over 12 months.
Contract length: 12 months.
Salary: Total freelance fee: £9663.80 over 12 months.
Project Overview:
Wellbeing Learning Circles is a Culture Collective project funded by Creative Scotland and based in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. The project is led by the Community Wellbeing Collective (CWC), in partnership with WHALE Arts, SCOREscotland, Starcatchers, Grass Roots Remedies, and With Kids. The project centres on a shared question: What can communities teach artists, and what can artists teach communities? In line with this, each of the partners will embed freelance artists within their own organisations to help develop and deliver the project.
This embedded, socially engaged approach is structured around three shared themes, or Learning Circles: Children’s Learning and Development, Adult Mental Health and Creative Culture. The six project partners will each engage in the Learning Circle(s) most relevant to their work and, along with the freelance artists, will meet quarterly to share learning as the project progresses.
WHALE Arts’ strand of the project, Creative Circles, brings together the Creative Culture and Adult Mental Health Learning Circles as one combined programme. We will employ two freelance artists – one experienced and one emerging. Both artists will be embedded within our organisation for the duration of the project, working alongside our team and community members to explore themes of culture, place, mental health and wellbeing. They will work together throughout, with the experienced artist mentoring the emerging artist.
Lead Artist Job Specification
We are looking for an experienced artist / creative practitioner with a background in socially engaged, participatory arts practice and experience working in communities.
The person we are looking for will have:
- Min 5 yrs + experience working creatively in community settings.
- Experience of mentoring/supporting less experienced creative practitioners.
- Experience of, and ability to work at the intersection of Creative Culture and Adult Mental Health.
- Experience facilitating group sessions/workshops for adults and young people.
- Excellent communication skills – the ability to engage well with a range of stakeholders including community members, project and wider staff team and partner organisations.
- Ability to take the lead, use initiative and drive forward an ambitious project.
- Experience of working with culturally diverse communities and people facing additional barriers.
- Experience in planning, delivering, monitoring and evaluating projects within a given budget.
Ideally but not essential, they will have:
- Knowledge/Lived experience of Wester Hailes or similar community.
- Experience in using the arts to address community issues.
Application close date: 9.00 am on Tuesday 1st October 2026.
(If you are successful, interviews will take place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th October.)
Job vacancy: LEAD ARTIST employer: WHALE Arts
WHALE Arts is an exceptional employer that prioritises community engagement and personal growth, making it a rewarding place to work. As a Digital Inclusion Lead, you will not only contribute to empowering local residents in Wester Hailes but also benefit from a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on meaningful impact, this role offers a unique chance to make a difference in the community while enhancing your own skills.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Job vacancy: LEAD ARTIST
✨Connect with Local NGOs
Dive into local non-profit events and community workshops—these are goldmines for freelance gigs in the social impact space. Networking with pro-bono organisations can lead to discovering opportunities where your skills can shine.
✨Showcase Your Impact Portfolio
Create a compelling portfolio that highlights your past social impact projects. This should include client testimonials and case studies—real stories that show how you've made a difference. Use platforms like Behance or a personal website to host your work.
✨Engage with Online Communities
Join Facebook groups and LinkedIn communities focused on social impact and non-profits. Participating in discussions not only builds your reputation but can also lead to freelance gigs as other members share job opportunities.
✨Pitch to Non-Profit Startups
Many start-ups in the non-profit sector are looking for freelancers who can support their mission. Research potential projects, approach them with tailored pitches that explain how you can help, and apply directly through our website for a solid starting point!
We think you need these skills to ace Job vacancy: LEAD ARTIST
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:When applying for a freelance role in social impact projects, let your enthusiasm shine through! In your application, share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to social causes. This helps us see why you're a perfect fit for making a difference with WHALE Arts.
Craft a Tailored Portfolio:For our freelance positions, it’s really important to include a portfolio that showcases your previous work in the nonprofit sector or social impact initiatives. Highlight projects that align closely with the kind of work WHALE Arts does, and don’t forget to include metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact!
Outline Your Availability and Rates Clearly:Transparency is key in freelance applications! Make sure to include your availability and any rate expectations in your application. This gives us a clear understanding of how you can fit into our projects and helps to set the stage for a smooth collaboration.
Connect the Dots in Your CV:When it comes to your CV, focus on relevant experiences that highlight your skills in project management, grant writing, or community engagement. Tailor your CV to reflect the specific requirements of the freelance role at WHALE Arts to help us understand how you can directly contribute to our mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHALE Arts
✨Showcase Your Impact
As we're diving into the world of nonprofits and social impact projects, it’s vital to highlight your previous work that made a difference. Bring along case studies or examples from your freelance projects that emphasise your ability to create positive change and measure outcomes. Let’s show WHALE Arts how you’ve delivered real results!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you’d handle specific challenges in the nonprofit space. They might throw real-world scenarios your way to see your problem-solving skills in action. Practise articulating your thought process, as this will demonstrate not only competence but also a genuine passion for the issues at stake.
✨Pitch Your Unique Value
Remember, freelancing means you’re not just someone they hire; you’re a partner in their mission. Be prepared to sell your unique skillset and how it fits their needs. Tailor your pitch based on the social causes they're involved in to show that you understand and resonate with their goals.
✨Bring the Right Tools
In the nonprofit sector, familiarity with project management and collaboration tools can set you apart. Whether it’s Trello, Asana, or Google Workspace, have examples ready of how you’ve used these tools in past projects to streamline your work. This will illustrate your organisational skills and readiness to be an effective team member from day one.
