WHALE Arts is proud to share a new online resource, the WHALE Arts VHS Archive. WHALE has been collecting VHS tapes since the early 1990s and although the archive is a modest size it features interesting community events, news clips and performances.

The films can be viewed here, via our dedicated webpage or through our YouTube channel.

The tapes were digitized by Chris Dooks in 2017 as part of a larger Heritage Lottery Funded project called Wester Hailes: Your Story, Our Story. The project was managed by Meghan Bidwell, Arts Engagement Manager (Adults). Craig Tyrie, Digital Sentinel, supported the development of the new webpage.

We would welcome the addition of films from local people and partner organizations which feature WHALE Arts or Wester Hailes. Please contact info@whalearts.co.uk if you would like to get in touch about the archive.

WHALE Arts is delighted to announce that for 2018 the Scottish Poetry Library (SPL) will be running a flagship residency project in Wester Hailes in partnership with Open Book. This exciting pilot project has emerged from WHALE’s Creative Connected Community Project supported by the Big Lottery which has a focus on creative placemaking in Wester Hailes. The Creative Connected project aims to engage the different neighbourhoods that make up Wester Hailes in creative activities and workshops, commission public artworks made with and for the community and coordinate community wide events around the 50th anniversary of Wester Hailes in 2019.

The partnership with SPL is an excellent opportunity for the community of Wester Hailes to participate in poetry, creative writing and shared reading activities and explore their environment and place through writing. The project builds on a legacy of poetry written in and about Wester Hailes.

The residency will include taster sessions with local community groups and partners; a four week creative writing block at Wester Hailes Library; and monthly poetry groups at WHALE Arts. Groups and writing workshops will support health and well-being. As well as writing buy ativan online mastercard groups we hope to develop an anthology of poetry and prose written by local people, visit the Scottish Poetry Library and hold a community-wide public poetry event.

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How can people get involved:
• Our first four week block of poetry and creative writing starts at Wester Hailes Library on 28 February – 21 March 2018, every Wednesday from 11.30am – 1pm. This is a great opportunity to join a friendly group to read, write and share poetry and creative writing. No writing experience is necessary and activities will be suitable for all.
• If you are interested in organizing a taster session with our team of poets please contact Creative Placemaker Helena Barrett on helena@whalearts.co.uk
• The monthly poetry group at WHALE Arts will begin on 28 March 2018 and take place on the last Wednesday of the month there after. Please contact Arts Engagement Manager (Adults) Meghan Bidwell via info@whalearts.co.uk to learn more about this group.

At the WHALE Arts AGM & Christmas Showcase on 21 December 2017 Fabien Merville was presented by WHALE Arts Director Allan Farmer with The Spirit of WHALE Award for his outstanding contribution to the Westburn CAN project.

The award, launched in 2016, is in memory of the contribution WHALE Arts Board Member Doris Brown made to WHALE Arts and the community over many years. The award is presented to volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and community spirit.

Congratulations to Fabien!

WHALE Arts – Receptionist Administrator
35 hours per week

We are looking for a positive, self-motivated, organised and enthusiastic person with excellent communication and customer service skills to join our team.

This is a key role within the organisation and first point of contact for visitors and participants to WHALE Arts Centre. You will need to be good with people, have first-rate organisational and office administration experience and engaging social media skills.

Main Activities and Key Responsibilities

• To be the first point of contact for in person and telephone enquiries for WHALE Arts Agency and tenants.
• Provide information regarding WHALE services and projects to enquirers.
• Manage central sign in system and sign in monitoring database.
• Operate the telephone exchange and staff message system
• Support the development of the WHALE Arts website including content management.
• Update WHALE Arts’ social media channels.
• Manage WHALE Arts Centre Room Bookings and Venue Hire Calendar.
• Manage incoming and outgoing postal system and info@whale arts e-mail account.
• Support the WHALE Director to ensure health and safety of WHALE Arts Centre users including operating the entry system, drawing attention to hazards, and evacuation in the event of fire.
• Responsible for WHALE administration tasks including mail outs, sign up, communication with participants, completing registers for projects, postage and photocopying records, and staff timesheets.
• Attend and take minutes at WHALE team meetings.
• Update central WHALE registration system and registration database.
• Provide photocopying, franking, laminating and other services for tenants and staff.
• Maintain an electronic finance record of postage and photocopying.
• Complete petty cash and banking procedures.

Facilities

• Provide service for internal and external room bookings including room set-up/clean up, hospitality, access to rooms, signage and a weekly room planner.
• Enable users to access resources and rooms and monitor lending and return of keys and equipment.
• Assist with identifying any building issues requiring attention and action/ source quotes to address these.
• Submit monthly utilities readings.
• Coordinate annual PAT testing visit.
• Arrange contracted maintenance visits (including Lift, Heating, Alarm, Fire Safety, Theatre License)
• Update the building inventory

Other Duties

• To be a key holder, regularly opening and securing the building – including out of office hours on occasion.
• To comply with relevant WHALE Arts Agency policies.
• To undertake any relevant training in relation to the post.

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may, from time-to-time, be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Recruitment Details

Essential Skills:
• Excellent customer service skills including telephone skills, dealing with in person enquiries, assisting people with additional needs and dealing with challenging behaviour.
• Displays in-depth knowledge, understanding and demonstrable skills in managing/curating social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and photosharing.
• Operating office equipment especially photocopier, franking machine, laminator.
• Competent with Microsoft Office programmes especially Word and Excel, e-mailing and internet.
• Ability to create and manage computer database systems.
• Ability to create and manage paper filing systems.
• High standard of written and spoken English.
• Basic understanding of Health and Safety issues in community spaces.
• Ability to work in a team and also self-motivate without supervision.
• Excellent timekeeping.
• Excellent communication and people skills.

Desirable Skills:
• Knowledge of local area, community and services.
• Experience of working in a community organisation.
• Experience of dealing with trades/contractors.

Application Process

Apply in writing or by email, enclosing/attaching:
• An up to date CV detailing relevant education and employment experience.
• A covering letter demonstrating how your skills meet the Essential and Desirable Skills criteria of the job description.
• Details of two referees, including at least one previous employer.

Applications should arrive at WHALE Arts Agency no later than 12:00 (midday) on Monday 8th January 2018. Late applications will not be considered.

The successful candidate will be appointed to the role subject to confirmation of PVG Scheme Membership.

Contact Details

Kate Griffin, Learning and Participation Manager
WHALE Arts
30 Westburn Grove,
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA
info@whalearts.co.uk
0131 458 3267

 

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WHALE Arts – Westburn CAN Coordinator
14 hours per week

We are seeking an experienced candidate to oversee delivery of programmed activity and complete the end of project evaluation and reporting for Westburn CAN.

Westburn CAN is an innovative community-led partnership project that will reduce carbon through a range of distinct but integrated interventions including an Environmental Arts and Culture Programme, Horticulture Hub, and community food provision. The project is funded by the Climate Challenge Fund.

The post is a fixed term 12 week contact from 8th January to 31st March 2018.

Main Activities and Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the delivery of all Westburn CAN activities
• Monitor and evaluate participation using central WHALE Arts’ systems and participative methods, in line with funding requirements
• Monitor and evaluate performance of the Westburn CAN towards carbon reduction and community outcomes
• Ensure all project funding requirements are met and reports completed
• Support a local participation in all aspects of the Westburn CAN project.
• Facilitate a steering group to assist with planning, delivery and evaluation of Westburn CAN
• Deliver community events, including monthly CAN meetings/activities
• Create partnership opportunities with local community organisations, public bodies, education and training providers
• Utilise and develop current volunteering policies, procedures and databases
• Conduct and report on community consultations

Other Duties

• To carry out occasional reception cover duties
• To support the development of the WHALE Arts Agency programme, systems, policies and procedures
• To comply with relevant WHALE Arts Agency policies
• To undertake any relevant training in relation to the post

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may, from time-to-time, be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Recruitment Details

Essential skills:
•Educated to degree level in arts, education, or community generic ativan description work – or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.

Minimum 3 years experience in:
• Delivering and evaluating creative and/or community projects.
• Working with partners and participants to deliver project outcomes.
• Project management including writing project reports and evaluations.
• Managing budgets and financial reporting to a range of stakeholders .
• Community engagement and community-led development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work without supervision and as part of a team.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Skills:
• Experience of running and reporting on Climate Challenge Fund projects
• Knowledge of Wester Hailes community, local organisations and services.

Application Process

Apply in writing or by email, enclosing/attaching:
• An up to date CV detailing relevant education and employment experience.
• A covering letter demonstrating how your skills meet the Essential and Desirable Skills criteria of the job description.
• Details of two referees, including at least one previous employer.

Applications should arrive at WHALE Arts Agency no later than 13:00 on Monday 11th December.

Please note that given the short term-nature of the contract we will require applicants to be available for an immediate start.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

WHALE Arts Agency is committed to recruiting high quality candidates whose skills and experience are most suited to the job regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion (or beliefs), marital status, sexual orientation (or perceived sexual orientation), disability, age or political affiliation.

Please complete the Equal Opportunities form below. This information is for monitoring purposes only, will be treated as confidential and will not be used in the selection process.

Contact Details

Allan Farmer
WHALE Arts Agency
30 Westburn Grove
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA

0131 458 3267

allan@whalearts.co.uk

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