Assistant Visual Arts Officer

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include Planning, Placemaking & Economic Development, Rural & Community Development, Housing Services, Housing Activation & Delivery, Capital Infrastructure Delivery, Land Activation, Derelict Sites and Property, Transportation, Mobility and Health & Safety, Climate Action, Environment & Water Services, Fire Service, Building Control & Major Emergency Management, Tourism, Festivals & Events, Libraries, Arts & Cultural Services, Enterprise and Investment, along with and sports & amenities. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance, People, Culture and Organisational Development functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, may form a panel for the post of Assistant Visual Arts Officer from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Visual Arts Assistant will assist the Visual Arts Co-ordinator in the implementation of Clare Arts' Visual arts programme including the invigilation and provision of customer service of exhibitions in Súil Gallery and any other visual art programmes, projects and exhibitions run by Clare Arts Office.

It would be desirable if each candidate

• Experience of working in a gallery environment or the visual arts sector
• Work effectively as part of a team
• Have an ability to plan and prioritise workloads
• Be capable of dealing effectively with conflicting demands
• Be capable of working under pressure to tight deadlinesAbility to adapt to change
• Capable of problem solving
• Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages
• Ability to communicate effectively across different levels within an organisation
• Maintain confidentiality

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Assist the visual arts co-ordinator in the delivery of the gallery programme including the implementation of the curatorial policy and assistance with exhibition administration.
• Assist with installation, hanging and removal of artworks to include painting walls and general maintenance.
• Liaise with artists regarding the transport of artworks.
• Maintain environmental conditions for gallery artworks,