FREELANCE BRIEF - Collect Content Officer

Crafts Council is seeking expressions of interest from freelance communications and content professionals with a minimum of 2 years' experience to support the delivery of Collect, the art fair for contemporary craft and collectible design.

Context

About Collect

24 – 28 February 2027 Somerset House, London, UK

Collect is the art fair for contemporary craft and collectible design. The fair is presented by Crafts Council and takes place annually at Somerset House, London.

Proudly positioned at the forefront of the contemporary craft movement since 2004, Collect brings together collectors, patrons, curators, art advisors and interior designers, and features international and British galleries showing museum-quality works in curated presentations. Through the Collect Open initiative, the fair provides a platform for experimental installations by individual artists and collectives.

Each edition of Collect showcases the work of over 400 exceptional living contemporary artists and designers, made from a range of materials with rich narratives. These span ceramic, furniture, glass, jewellery, metalwork, sculpture, textiles, woodwork and more. Over 80% of work is made in the previous five years, with many pieces commissioned for the fair.

About the Brief

Working closely with the Collect team, the postholder will lead the coordination of the fair's content, ensuring exhibitor and marketing assets are received, processed, and delivered accurately across relevant platforms.

They will prepare compelling and accurate first drafts of press releases, working from agreed key messages and revising copy in response to feedback from the Collect team and appointed PR agency. They will support the production of key fair materials, including the catalogue, website and on site signage.

They will also support the coordination of the talks programme and ensure required assets and information are received. The role requires excellent organisation, communication, and attention to detail, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

Role Objectives

The postholder will:

• Oversee the content for the fair; receiving and processing assets from exhibitors, marketing partners and sponsors
• Prepare and revise first drafts of press releases, incorporating stakeholder feedback and delivering agreed copy to deadline
• Work closely with the wider team on the production of assets including the fair’s catalogue, website pages and on-site signage
• Support the coordination the fair’s talks programme, as directed by the Director
• Work closely with the wider team to establish priorities and key timeframes, ensure deadlines are met and tasks delivered to a high standard

Main Duties

• Work closely with the team to collate and organise required assets to deliver the fair catalogue, talks programme and on-site signage
• Lead on researching and drafting press releases, using agreed key messages and accurate information supplied by exhibitors and the Collect team
• Liaise closely with the marketing, PR and design teams, ensuring they are kept up to date on new content received and changes to artist and exhibitor records
• Ensure artist list records are kept up to date and changes are reflected across relevant assets/relevant team members are notified
• Manage photos and videos on Dropbox, ensuring they are correctly and consistently labelled and filed
• As directed by the Marketing & Partnerships Consultant, liaise with marketing partners to receive required content to fulfil deliverables
• Liaise with exhibitors to receive content (images and copy) and obtain sign off for their catalogue pages
• Work closely with the Senior Fair Manager (or their parental leave cover) to collate content for the on-site talks and map leaflet
• Work closely with the Head of Operations to collate content for on site signage
• Coordinate talks programme; receive final copy and crediting information, assist with scheduling of rehearsals, provide content for the production of slides, greet speakers on site at the fair
• File and label photo and video content captured during the fair, ensuring correct credits are logged General
• Integral part of team attending team meetings, updating on progress of various tasks, highlighting upcoming deadlines, and helping to ensure project milestones remain on track.
• A strong commitment to accessibility and social justice, ensuring that we are adhering to best practice.
• Ensure that you comply with all health and safety regulations and safe working practice as required by current legislation and the company’s health and safety policy and practices.
• Understand the importance of equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Location

Crafts Council Office and Gallery is based in Islington, London, with some hybrid / home working.

Reporting to

Activity will be overseen by Senior Fair Manager (or parental leave cover) and work closely with:

• Marketing & Partnerships Consultant

• Fair Officer • PR agency

• Wider team

Fees

£9,900 +VAT if applicable

Contract

Freelance & Project-based

The above is an entire project fee and the freelancer will be required to effectively manage their time to deliver the scope of work. The role offers some flexibility in terms of the number of days/hours worked, providing that prescribed deadlines are met.

The amount of time the candidate is required to allocate will start at a few days a month in September, increasing to full time towards February (the month of the fair), including some evening and weekend working.