Key information
Job title: Producer (Community & Engagement)
Hours: 16 hours per week / 2 days per week
Pay: Up to £37,500 pro rata, depending on experience
Reports to: Artistic Director and CEO
Period: 12 months: February 2026 – February 2027
Location: Hybrid (once a week in the office based at Basingstoke) at events at North Hampshire and Berkshire
About Kala The Arts
Kala The Arts is a leading voice in South Asian arts in the UK.
For over 26 years, we’ve created, produced and delivered high-quality South Asian dance projects, classes, workshops, performances, and exhibitions across Hampshire and Berkshire for 383 schools and communities, under the artistic leadership of Sushmita Pati an international artist.
We have a strong track record of collaborating and connecting with organisations at a local, national, and international level and reached 35,000 audience members through various platforms in 2024. Our work spans from grassroots engagement to international audiences, with a strong focus on artistic development, supporting artists, Health and community wellbeing. For the past five years, Kala has led and organised middle-scale events with local councils and businesses. For the years ahead, Kala plans to build on this work, creating a vibrant programme of events reaching an even wider and diverse audience in the South West of England.
The Opportunity
We are looking to employ a part-time, experienced Producer (Community & Engagement) to be the driving force of this vision, making this programme a reality through seamless planning and execution. You will be part of a dynamic and creative team of staff, volunteers and committed Trustees, working for an organisation with deep roots in its local Hampshire community.
The Producer (Community & Engagement) will take a lead on the effective planning and delivery of Kala’s outdoor programmes, indoor venues and festivals across multiple sites. The role will be vital to the success of our Diwali Light It Up! Festival, and will involve working closely with communities, artists and young people, and creatively alongside Kala’s Artistic Director and CEO.
The Producer will need considerable knowledge and experience of programming outdoor arts, dance and related arts, and of working with and managing programmes in outdoor locations, ensuring full compliance with all relevant legislation. Experience of working with communities in Hampshire and the South West will greatly benefit this role.
Key Responsibilities
- A core value of Kala The Arts is to encourage education in the arts and lifelong learning. We are constantly developing our ties within cultural and creative communities and strengthening these through innovative opportunities, engagement and activities.
- The Producer will be the main contact for developing and managing learning and engagement within the organisation, overseeing the creation, operation and promotion of Kala’s core outreach programmes, including our South Asian dance and heritage projects. These projects will feature both indoor and outdoor events, and you will ensure they run on time and within budget.
- You will cultivate relationships with partner organisations such as educational institutions, local residents, community groups, support groups, cultural and arts organisations, hard-to-reach groups and diverse sectors.
- You will create audience-led enrichment opportunities, approaching new areas and developing ways of reaching new audiences in order to grow our projects.
- You will also support the CEO to manage the Odissi Syllabus project and work towards a symposium in spring 2026.
- Working on the Arts Council England portfolio of projects, you will help to deliver annual partnership events and support reporting to Arts Council England, including the development of processes and KPIs.
- The Producer will explore new areas and investigate innovative ways of expanding our audiences. You will profile audiences and contribute to Kala The Arts’ diversity and inclusion aspirations.
- You will liaise with and attend meetings alongside other cultural arts organisations, promoting Kala within these networks.
- The Producer will undertake all relevant administration, including correspondence with staff, artists, venues, partners, councils and suppliers, and document the organisation’s project work while raising its profile through contributions to Kala’s website content.
- You will develop and maintain strong communication and working relationships with staff, trustees, volunteers, students and external partners, attending programme meetings, partner meetings and site visits as required. You will also support the organisation with fundraising and development opportunities as part of the team.
Experience – Essential
- Considerable experience of creatively working on large- and medium-scale productions and programming arts and dance
- Demonstrable experience of project and production management for mid-scale and large outdoor events
- Experience of working within operations and event production across indoor and outdoor festivals and events, including pyrotechnics and public realm projects
- Experience of managing events and implementing safety, health, environment and risk assessments
- Considerable knowledge of and experience in programming arts and culture
- Physical ability to lay down and take up wooden dance staging
- A strong team worker and troubleshooter
- Experience of managing project budgets effectively
- Strong and proven administrative skills
- Ambitious, positive and motivated
- Ability to self-manage, self-motivate and think critically
- Collaborative approach and ability to work within a small, committed team
- Flexibility, commitment and the ability to multi-task
- Excellent communication and networking skills
What We Offer
- A passionate and supportive team environment
- Training once the candidate has passed probation
- Opportunities to be involved in creative and artistic projects
- Encouragement to innovate and take initiative
- The chance to contribute to a growing, culturally rich and dynamic organisation
How To Apply
To apply for the role please submit:
• CV (No more than two pages and to include at least two referees)
• Short supporting statement (500 words max) highlighting how your specific experience relates to the role
• Any links to online examples of your previous work relevant to this role
Please send your application to office@kalathearts.co.uk
If you have questions or would like to discuss the role further, feel free to contact our Artistic Director, Sushmita Pati, sushmita@kalathearts.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 10am, Tuesday 3 March. Applications will be assessed as they are received.
Kala The Arts is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.