Network Coordinator: role description and requirements
Devon Artist Network (DAN) is a non-profit organisation, connecting more than 550 artists across the county through exhibitions and professional support. Its flagship annual event, Devon Open Studios, invites the public to visit members’ workspaces to engage with artists and purchase art works. This freelance role, reporting to the Chair of the Network, supports its effective day-to-day running and acts as a key point of contact between members, the Board and other freelance support staff.
This is a varied, flexible role at the heart of the Network. You will be the main point of contact for our members, helping to keep people informed and connected, supporting the smooth running of DAN and working with our Board, freelancers and partners to develop opportunities for artists across the county.
The role is home based, with occasional travel to meetings and events across Devon. For more information and/or an informal chat, contact [email protected]
Contract Length: ongoing, subject to a two-month notice period.
Location: home-based, with occasional travel to meetings, events and other locations across Devon.
Hours: part time and flexible, approx. 4 days per month.
Fee: £8k per annum (to be invoiced monthly)
Key responsibilities
Membership and network support
- Act as a first point of contact for current and potential DAN members, responding to general enquiries and providing information about membership, opportunities and Network activity.
- Maintain accurate membership information and ensure relevant records and systems are kept up to date.
- Encourage connections and communication between members, supporting networking events and the development of local and county-wide artist networks.
Network communications
- Represent DAN professionally and positively in communications with members, partners and the wider arts community.
- Support membership recruitment and retention through regular communications including the DAN monthly newsletter, promoting relevant opportunities, events and activities.
- Maintain and administer DAN’s website and other digital platforms, working with relevant technical support where required.
- Liaise with designers, PR, marketing and other freelancers commissioned by DAN, providing the information and materials required.
- Work collaboratively with the Devon Open Studios Producer, sharing relevant information and co-ordinating overlapping activity.
Programme and network development
- Support the development of exhibitions and other member opportunities agreed by the Board, such as DAN’s involvement in the Contemporary Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey.
- Support the Board in identifying potential opportunities, partnerships and activities that could benefit DAN members and strengthen the Network.
- Contribute to the ongoing improvement of DAN’s systems, processes and ways of working.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with arts organisations, cultural partners and other relevant organisations across Devon.
- Where agreed with the Board, research potential grants, sponsorships, partnerships and other income opportunities and support the preparation of applications or proposals.
Administration and finance
- Liaise with the bookkeeper regarding membership payments, invoices, refunds and other routine financial administration.
- Maintain appropriate administrative records relating to Network activity.
- Ensure member information and personal data are handled appropriately and in accordance with DAN’s data protection and privacy policies.
- Support the administration of contracts and agreements with freelancers and partners where required.
Governance and Board support
- Support the preparation and organisation of Board meetings (currently monthly) and the Annual General Meeting. Attend Board meetings (usually online), providing concise updates on activity, progress, issues and upcoming priorities and noting/circulating agreed actions.
- Work with the Chair and Board to translate agreed priorities into manageable programmes of work, supporting the delegation of agreed activities to Board members and helping to monitor progress.
- Flag significant operational, financial or reputational issues to the Chair or Board where appropriate.
Role requirements
Experience and knowledge
- Coordinating projects, networks or programmes and managing daytoday organisational activity.
- Working confidently and professionally with a wide range of people, responding to enquiries in a helpful and approachable manner.
- Managing administrative systems, maintaining accurate records and following work through to completion.
- Producing clear written communications such as newsletters, member updates and web content.
- Confident use of digital tools: email, spreadsheets, online forms, shared documents and basic website/content management systems.
- Handling sensitive or difficult conversations constructively, with good judgement about when issues should be escalated.
- Organising and prioritising a varied workload, managing competing demands within limited contracted hours and working independently from home.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Understanding confidentiality, GDPR and appropriate handling of personal data.
- Interest in and understanding of the needs of artists and creative practitioners.
- Ability to attend occasional meetings and events across Devon.
We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds and routes into the arts and cultural sector. If your experience doesn’t match every criterion but you believe you could do the role well, we would still be pleased to hear from you. You don’t need to be an artist, but you should have an interest in the visual arts and an understanding of the value of artist networks and creative communities. Above all, we are looking for someone who is reliable, resourceful and interested in helping DAN continue to develop as a useful and supportive network for artists across Devon.
How to apply
Please send a CV and brief covering letter (max two pages) outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in the role to [email protected]
Closing date: 30 September 2026, 12 noon
Interviews (online): week commencing 12 October