Education Officer
An Education Officer or Manager will develop and run the education programme of a gallery e.g. developing overall policies as well as creating new projects working directly with the public. The programme may involve visits for school groups, activities for the general public, visits for other groups, outreach work into the local community. The Education Officer may also be responsible for writing interpretation materials (e.g. text panels, information sheets, audio guides) for exhibitions alongside the curator and for creating special packs for teachers and other group leaders. Sometimes the Education Officer will deliver all the sessions themselves, others will employ freelance artists and educators to run the sessions for them. Gallery educators often take a lead role around diversity. More information about Gallery Education can be found here.

Marketing Officer / Press Officer
A Marketing or Press Officer is responsible for gaining as much coverage as possible in terms of audience and profile for the gallery in newspapers, magazines, website and at other events. They will be responsible for print and design production and/or mailings, press releases and copywriting. This role also includes ‘audience development’ – encouraging more visitors to the gallery.
Contact the Arts Marketing Association for more information 01223 578078


Front of House / Receptionist / Information Officer
Many galleries employ people to help gallery visitors, either at the front desk, or around the gallery. They provide information about the current exhibitions and facilities offered by the gallery and often help with marketing, education and access advice.

Café / Bookshop Manager / Assistant
Many galleries have cafes, bookshops or other retail outlets and employ staff to work in these. These staff are not usually involved in the exhibitions or education side of the galleries’ work.

Security Guard / Attendant / Invigilator
Most galleries employ people to invigilate exhibitions and to ensure that any artwork is protected from theft or damage. Sometimes this job is combined with an Information Assistant job and would include providing information about the exhibition/s. In some galleries attendants are specially trained about each exhibition, and about how to involve the public in thinking about the art on display. Larger galleries also employ security guards on their doors.

Artists are not usually employed on a permanent basis by galleries apart from in specific roles such as those described above. Some galleries will commission artists to produce work for exhibitions, some galleries will employ artists to run workshops and education projects or to give talks, occasionally galleries will have funding for short-term ‘artists-in-residence’. For more information about supporting yourself as an artist contact AN www.a-n.co.uk or ArtQuest www.artquest.org.uk (London only) or Arts Council regional office www.artscouncil.org.uk. There may also be other local support organisations.