Vacancy: Programmer (22.5 hours per month)
The Plough Arts Centre, 9-11 Fore St, Great Torrington, EX38 8HQ
The Plough Arts Centre is seeking an experienced, creative, and audience-focused Programmer to curate and shape an exciting year-round programme of events. Working 22.5 hours each month you will play a key role in building and sustaining the artistic vision of the organisation alongside our programming team, while supporting our financial resilience through strong, community-responsive programming.
About the Role:
We believe the arts bring people from all ages, abilities and backgrounds together. As programmer it will be your responsibility to deliver a vibrant, engaging, diverse, relevant, and financially resilient programme that reflects the needs of our community, expands our artistic reach, and serves as the cornerstone of our organisation’s sustainability. You will curate events that resonate with our audience, entertain, educate, build community and connection, while continuing to nurture new talent and offer opportunities to our younger generation through our Youth Theatre workshops and performances. You will help us to nurture community participation, grow and increase the number of people coming through our doors and alongside the rest of the team help to secure the future of The Plough Arts Centre as a thriving creative institution.
You will programme a wide range of events including:
- Comedy
- Live Theatre shows
- Film screenings
- Collaborations with schools and community partners
- Plough Youth Theatre events
- Plough Prism/Motion (Our groups for adults with disabilities)
- Workshops
This position offers flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to one of the region’s most valued cultural hubs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Curate a dynamic, vibrant and engaging programme for The Plough Arts Centre under the CEO’s direction
- Build positive relationships with artists, agents, companies, and collaborators.
- Develop events that align with our demographic, NPO requirements and community interests.
- Contribute to audience development strategies and income generation.
- Work alongside the CEO and programming team to ensure the programme supports the centre’s financial sustainability.
- Work closely with the programming and tech team to ensure the programme is delivered smoothly, communicating plans effectively and in a timely manner.
- Conduct thorough post-event analysis to identify areas for improvement and inform future planning.
- To attend the weekly programming and marketing meeting online (Currently Weds between 11am- midday)
- Essential Skills & Experience - To be assessed via application and interview
- Proven experience of programming an arts venue, festival, or cultural organisation
- Strong understanding of audience behaviour and local demographic considerations.
- Awareness of contemporary theatre, comedy, both mainstream film and independent film
- Ability to spot new opportunities and develop appealing events that drive ticket sales.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- A team player with a positive and collaborative working style and commitment to supporting our charitable aims
- Demonstrable ability to balance commercial requirements with the artistic expectations of audiences and funders.
Desirable Skills Experience:
Ability to use Spektrix
Ability to use Google Docs
Contract & Fees: To be discussed:
How to Apply:
Please send a C.V. and a short statement outlining your relevant experience and programming approach to: emma@theploughartscentre.org.uk. Please put in the subject heading ‘Programmer Application’ Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you!
Deadline: Weds 7th January 2026 at 5pm.
Interview date: Monday 12th January (TBC) Start Date: 1st February 2026