Exhibitor Concierge Assistant (Technicians)

Job Role: Exhibitor Concierge Assistants (Technicians)

Company History and Mission

Parallax “Art” Fair (London) is a subsidiary event of Barlow Fine Art. It first began as a research exhibition in 2010 devised by Dr C G Barlow, whose research encompasses the philosophy of history. The initial fair was held in July 2011 at the Royal Opera Arcade. It was the first of its kind to fracture the booths into smaller spaces and to be held three times a year in order to create affordable opportunities for creative entrepreneurs (artists and designers) in London. It moved to Chelsea Town Hall in February 2012 and in February 2016 it attracted 16,000 visitors. In February 2018, it moved to Kensington Town Hall where a separate one-person show by Setsuko Ono (Yoko Ono’s sibling) was held. Kensington Town Hall became its permanent home in 2019. In July 2022, Parallax welcomed the Hollywood actor Paul Michael Glaser as an exhibitor and in the October the lead actor from the Archers, Timothy Bentinck.

Objectives:
a) To enable exhibitors to become commercially aware and independent through education and low-cost exhibition space, to level the hierarchies and to challenge the industry, which is often stacked against artists and designers.

(b) To provide employment opportunities for young people to acquire experience, real responsibility and confidence in an industry that can be challenging and difficult on entry.

(c) To provide open access to international art and design for both rich and poor across London, and to enable poorer people to acquire art and design of their choice through monetary competitions.

(d) To lobby governments to incorporate a business module in all fine art and design courses. Where the opportunity arises to suggest alternative pedagogical systems that train creatives for self-employment.

Job Role

Exhibitor Concierge Assistants (Technicians) work in the Exhibitor Concierge Department at the fair.

Their task is provide technical support to the administrative Exhibitor Concierge Assistants, as well as the Visitor Concierge Assistants.

They have four main tasks:

(1) Unpacking and hanging artwork, ensuring that work is presented well. After the fair, they de-hang and re-pack the artwork. Technicians do not need any tools as the system is hooks and wires.

(2) General setting up of the fair and making sure the fair is presentable to exhibitors and visitors.

(3) Wrapping artwork sales in the wrapping station during the public opening days.

(4) General technical support to other staff and exhibitors as when and needed.

Courtesy, Equal Opportunity and Report Procedures

We expect exhibition staff to excel in courtesy, manners and to respect all exhibitors, visitors, council staff and fellow Parallax Art Fair staff. We do not expect this simply because of equal-opportunities law or for a PR exercise, but because it is the right thing for you to do. Leaders in the making should learn to lead by this example. We expect a high degree of professionalism.

As we cannot offer personal career development over a busy three-day contract
(unless you work with us on several shows and over a few years), there will be an opportunity after the event for feedback on staff. Your colleagues and your manager will also be feeding back on you. We encourage a spirit of openness and honesty, and the aim is to positively benefit you.

Dealing with Complaints

There is no business in the world that does not receive complaints from some of its customers. If you are unsure how to deal with a complaint from an exhibitor or visitor at the fair, contact your line manager for information. Complaints from exhibitors are to be directed to the Exhibitor Liaison Department and are not handled by the Visitor Concierge Department.

Rarely, there might be a more serious problem with an exhibitor, visitor, staff member, venue-staff member or contractor (including security or other contractors) and you may be unsure how to handle the problem. Do not attempt to solve the matter privately. You should maintain professionalism and stick to incontrovertible facts and procedures of the fair. Do not make assertions. Follow the correct procedure and tell a manager. Leave the matter with them. If an exhibitor, visitor, staff member, venue-staff member or contractor makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your manager. In some circumstances you may need to approach a manager in a different department. Nothing is considered “silly”. You can see the structure of the ground team below and who reports to whom.

Payment

The rate is £10ph. A one- hour lunch is included.

Job Type: Temporary contract
Contract length: 3 days

Salary: £10.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

COVID-19 considerations:
We follow Government guidelines.

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• Hanging artwork or gallery/art fair: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 28/06/2023
Reference ID: VCAFEB20
Expected start date: 07/07/2023