Cultivating spaces for extraordinary artists

AA2A Opportunities: Freelance speaker - creative industries

AA2A is seeking creative freelancers - we encourage applications from artists from global majority communities as well as those from other backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in the arts and further/higher education​​​​​​​

The role is to deliver an in-person session on the subject of employment and self-employment in the creative industries to student audiences in a university/college setting on behalf of AA2A.

We aim to recruit one or two freelance creative individuals to join the AA2A team. We have a small number of opportunities available in 2025, with the potential for further dates in 2026.

AA2A is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our speakers will be engaging with student cohorts across England, and we want every student, regardless of background, to feel represented and inspired by AA2A’s Creative Futures employability programme. A diverse team will help us ensure students from the widest possible range of lived experiences feel seen and heard.

While we welcome applications from across England, we are especially keen to hear from individuals based in, or able to travel (within reasonable limits) to Yorkshire, the North East, and the South of England.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge of AA2A:

  • Knowledge of AA2A’s artist residency programme and Creative Futures programme (professional practice development)

Knowledge of employment and self-employment in creative industries, specifically visual arts, design or craft including:

  • Experience of self-employment
  • Engagement with creative industries as a practitioner or working with artists
  • Knowledge of different business/company types e.g., sole trader, CIO, limited company, CIC
  • Registering with HMRC, submitting a tax return, National Insurance
  • Invoicing, rates of pay, contracts, insurance, business banking
  • Funding - where to find it, how to apply for it and how to record this on a tax return
  • Working knowledge of basic copyright principles
  • Working knowledge of sector-specific support organisations, e.g., Arts Council, a-n, Artists Union, business support for creative enterprises

Personal attributes:

  • Reliable, and able to embody the values of AA2A
  • Professional attitude towards staff and students
  • Respond to booking enquiries from AA2A team promptly
  • Engaging, interactive style, bringing the subject to life, succinct but memorable
  • Understanding of student audiences, how to pitch at appropriate levels
  • Awareness of access needs of student cohort
  • Ability to research issues/trends particular to the university/college and its local area

Other information:

  • Talks up to a max. of 2 hours including Q&A.
  • Offered as a freelance contract, must be responsible for own tax. £250 per day including preparation, delivery and materials. In addition, we will cover reasonable travel expenses.No additional costs will be accepted.
  • Responsible for liaising with AA2A and university/college in advance to discuss and confirm technical requirements of presentation. AA2A provides speakers with a presentation template in PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar.
  • Payment within 30 days of receipt of invoice.

Closing date: 5pm Sunday 13th July

How to apply: Visit https://aa2a.org/vacancies/ to complete the form or apply via a different format.