Freelance Public Artwork Producer

For Liverpool Biennial 2027, a major new temporary public work of art will be created in Williamson Square through a collaboration between an artist and Liverpool Biennial’s Young Curators. The Young Curators have selected the artist they want to work with and will continue to contribute ideas and perspectives as the commission develops, supported by Liverpool Biennial’s Learning Producer and freelance facilitators.

The Freelance Public Artwork Producer will lead the planning, production and delivery of this ambitious public artwork, working closely with the commissioned artist and Liverpool Biennial team from design development through planning and permissions, fabrication, installation, maintenance and deinstallation.

The Producer will be the principal production contact for the artist, translating the developing proposal into a clear and achievable production plan. They will coordinate planning applications and permissions, fabricators, structural engineers, contractors, suppliers and technical requirements and liaise with stakeholders to ensure the commission is delivered safely, sustainably, on time and within budget. The Producer will also support the Programme team with planning applications and permissions for other Liverpool Biennial 2027 public realm projects where required.

Job description

Advocacy and Partnerships

• Lead the planning and production management of the Liverpool Biennial 2027’s Williamson Square temporary public work commission from design development through permissions, fabrication, installation, maintenance and deinstallation.
• Act as the central production and project management contact for the artwork, attending artist meetings and working closely with the artist, Co-Curators and Learning Producer to translate the developing artistic proposal into an achievable production plan.
• Develop and maintain the project schedule and production budget, coordinating key decisions, milestones, costings, procurement, permissions, fabrication and installation to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget.
• Advise the artist and Liverpool Biennial team on technical feasibility, identifying production, budget, programme, access, sustainability and health and safety considerations at an early stage.
• Coordinate technical development of the artwork, working with structural engineers, production service providers and other technical partners on drawings, specifications and other information required for fabrication, planning and delivery. Where required, provide similar coordination and support for other Liverpool Biennial 2027 public realm commissions.
• Working with Liverpool Biennial’s production service providers, procure and manage the fabricators, contractors, suppliers and specialist consultants required to deliver the project.
• Coordinate planning applications and other permissions, licences and approvals required for the artwork, liaising with Liverpool City Council, project partners and relevant statutory bodies. Where required, support planning applications and permissions for other Liverpool Biennial 2027 public realm commissions.
• Lead production-related health and safety for the artwork, including coordinating risk assessments, method statements and contractor documentation, and work with Liverpool Biennial’s Access Liaison Officer and wider team to ensure accessibility and environmental sustainability are considered throughout its development and delivery.

Installation, maintenance, and deinstallation

• Develop and manage installation and deinstallation plans and schedules for the artwork, coordinating contractors, suppliers, equipment and logistics with Liverpool Biennial’s production service provider and wider team.
• Lead production activity on site during installation, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard, with appropriate health and safety procedures in place and followed.
• Work with the artist and Liverpool Biennial team to establish inspection, maintenance and operational requirements for the artwork in Williamson Square throughout the festival, producing clear guidance and briefing relevant staff and contractors.
• Coordinate any initial repairs, maintenance or technical interventions required following installation and ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for the ongoing care of the artwork while in Williamson Square during the festival.
• Plan and coordinate the deinstallation of the artwork, including arrangements for the safe removal, storage, reuse, disposal or onward movement of materials and components at the end of the festival.

General and administrative

• Maintain clear and accurate project documentation and ensure potential risks, delays, budget pressures or other issues are identified and communicated to the Learning Producer and relevant Liverpool Biennial colleagues at an early stage.
• Process and monitor project-related purchase orders and invoices as required, ensuring expenditure follows Liverpool Biennial’s procurement and financial procedures.
• Work within Liverpool Biennial’s policies and procedures, including those relating to equality, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, environmental sustainability, health and safety, safeguarding and procurement.
• Liaise with external stakeholders and represent Liverpool Biennial at relevant project, stakeholder and safety meetings, including Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings where required, providing appropriate production and technical information to support safe delivery.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends as required, particularly during key installation, opening and deinstallation periods.
• Where capacity allows and as agreed with the Learning Producer and Director of Programme & Partnerships, provide production advice and support to other Liverpool Biennial 2027 projects, particularly public realm commissions.

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of production and project management within contemporary visual arts, including delivering ambitious artist commissions from development through fabrication, installation and deinstallation.
• Experience of producing artworks or projects in the public realm, including coordinating planning applications, licences, permissions and approvals with local authorities and other statutory bodies.
• Strong project management skills, with experience of developing and managing production schedules, budgets, procurement and multiple project deadlines.
• Strong technical production knowledge and experience of complex or large-scale fabrication, working with artists, fabricators, structural engineers, contractors and other specialist suppliers.
• Practical experience of health and safety requirements for arts production and installation, including risk assessments, method statements and contractor documentation.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with artists and a wide range of internal and external partners.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, accessibility and environmental sustainability, with an understanding of how these principles can be embedded within the production and delivery of projects.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Liverpool City Region and/or experience of delivering public realm projects within the city.
• An interest in supporting collaborative approaches to producing contemporary art and a willingness to share production knowledge with the Young Curators at appropriate points in the project.

FAQ’s

Can Liverpool Biennial sponsor Visas?

• No, unfortunately we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK as sponsorship is not possible

Can I travel in for this role or do I need to be based in Liverpool?

• Given the hands on nature of the role we would expect the successful candidates to either be based in the North West or willing to relocate. From January 2027 all team members are expected to be available to work in Liverpool every day.

To find out more about this role and how to apply, download the job pack below. If you have trouble submitting your application via the form, please email it to info@biennial.com where it will be manually uploaded to our HR system for consideration.