The Farmer’s Arms Project Director
Based at The Farmer’s Arms, Lowick Green, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 8DT, U.K
Salary £38,000 -£40,000
Full Time (40hrs per week, incl. evenings, weekend & public holiday work)
Grizedale Arts is an Arts Council England NPO & a registered charity
NB EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE Monday Jan. 26th midnight GMT
“We believe in everyday creativity, and creativity everyday. It’s our mission to nurture this in everyone who works at The Farmer’s Arms and in everyone who visits us.”
The Farmer’s Arms is a vibrant rural hub that enriches the lives of both local residents and visitors. We are now seeking a Project Director to take on the day-to-day leadership of this diversified pub. This new role will guide future strategy and business planning, oversee venue operations, and shape creative direction. The aim is to strengthen and grow the daily operations of The Farmer’s Arms, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for its creative programme.
The Project Director will lead a hard-working team of staff and volunteers, embracing the hands-on ethos that has characterised the project since Grizedale Arts bought the historic inn with the support of local and international investors and donors in 2021.
The Project Director will also work closely with Grizedale Arts’ director Adam Sutherland MBE to develop and support artist’s projects, residencies and related activity including fundraising, curation and delivery. With Grizedale Arts’ sister site at Lawson Park, both directors will create and support collaborative opportunities including open days, educational events, volunteering and residencies. Significant ongoing projects which span both sites include Re-Form Life (working title), funded by the Ampersand Award (see below).
Job Description
The Project Director will deliver:
- Leadership: Motivating and inspiring the team, managing resources and taking responsibility for operational success.
- Creative & Strategic Thinking: Developing and implementing creative, sustainable strategies in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
- Operational Excellence: Site and event management, with adherence to health and safety regulations and procedures.
- Community Engagement: Building inclusive, collaborative relationships across diverse communities.
- Financial Management: Budgeting, reporting and successful fundraising.
- Marketing & Communications: Creating and executing marketing campaigns, managing digital channels, and engaging stakeholders effectively.
- Responsible Land Management & Sustainability: Facilitating land-based projects including food growing and environmental stewardship.
In conjunction with Programme Producer Molly Reeve the postholder will sustain and develop a range of events at the venue:
Weekly
Talks, live music, crafts classes and CafeTeen arts project.
Monthly
Workshops (to incorporate and support studio holders), Gardening School and Club, building projects and a new supper club.
Quarterly
Festivals, including the well established Social Clay and a new annual conference (both 2 day events)
One off
Private and community events and celebrations including weddings, Burns Night, New Year’s Eve, Valentines Day, etc.
Person Specification:
Essential
- Senior level experience in an arts organisation or equivalent (min. 3 years)
- Proven financial management skills and experience of successful fundraising and/or income generation
- Understanding of Arts Council England NPO reporting requirements
- Proven ability to enthuse and motivate others and to lead a team
- Excellent IT, verbal and written communication skills
- A driving licence & personal transport
Desirable
- Qualification and/or curatorial experience in the arts, museums / heritage or architecture
- Previous employment in the hospitality sector
- Marketing or PR experience
- Experience of living and working in a rural location
Grizedale Arts core staff:
Adam Sutherland (Director of Grizedale Arts & Cook at The Farmer’s Arms , full-time)
Sheila Tyacootee (Finance Manager, 0.2 post)
Anna Burton (Gardener, 0.3 post)
Karen Guthrie (Head Gardener – freelance – 0.2 post & Lawson Park warden)
Molly Reeve (Programme Producer, 0.5)
Francis Lloyd-Jones (Studio manager, resident Potter & Tutor, freelance)
The Farmer’s Arms in more detail
The inn is Grade II Listed, with a 16th century bar, a cafe, dining room and kitchen, a self-service shop, offices, pottery and wood workshops (4 craft studios open 7 days a week). There are 3 staff bedrooms, 4 guest rooms and a 3 bedroom self catering apartment. Its 6 acres of former sheep grazing are now managed for biodiversity and include a new community orchard. Facilities include a salt kiln, outdoor pizza oven, garden shed, fermentation barn (winner of 2024 Architect’s Journal Small Project Award), vegetable plots, ornamental gardens and a large car park. Presently the bar, cafe and dining room are open to support arts activities 3 days a week with further opening for special events and one-off bookings. CafeTeen is a funded project for up to 8 teenagers who now run the Saturday cafe at The Farmers Arms. One half of the group runs the cafe while the other half undertakes arts projects. They switch roles midway and receive a wage for all hours attended.
Grizedale Arts
Founded in 1977 by as the Grizedale Society to host artists-in-residence in Grizedale Forest, Grizedale Arts has since developed a rich and diverse history. Its work spans land art, public art, socially engaged practice, craft, and architecture. Over the years, the organisation has built an innovative, interdisciplinary model that operates locally, nationally, and internationally, supporting artists and creatives at all stages of their careers with ambitious and challenging programmes. Grizedale Arts is a registered charity and owns the Farmer’s Arms, as well as a number of leased and partnership properties and resources.
Lawson Park
This 4 bedroom former farmhouse, warden’s cottage and 12 acres of land & gardens have been Grizedale Arts’ home since a major refurbishment in 2009. Located in a unique site overlooking Coniston Water, the buildings house a collection, archive and commissioned art works. Much of the land is now managed to support the exceptional biodiversity that has evolved there. Lawson Park hosts artists’ and volunteer projects and residencies, and opens regularly to garden visitors. We have recently established a Grizedale Arts Club that includes both Lawson Park and The Farmer’s Arms, with the goal that members will have a role in the long-term management and direction of this unique site.
The Ampersand Award
Longstanding GA director Adam Sutherland recently received this 150k award to support a range of work as he nears the end of his tenure. The ambitious programme consists of 7 projects throughout the Crake Valley, including the Merzbarn at Cylinders and Common Barn at Nibthwaite, culminating in a survey exhibition and publication that sets in context GA’s last 50 years (2027 is its 50th anniversary) and offers an alternative history of art from a rural perspective, centred around collaboration and process rather than product, and highlighting the role of women and LGBTQ+ communities.
You Need to Know
Living and working in the Lake District can be as challenging as it is wonderful. You will need to be prepared for a lot of rain, to work flexible hours, and to be exceptionally resourceful. To navigate the area’s many contingent influences (agriculture, climate change and tourism to name just a few) whilst keeping creativity front and centre, demands determination, grit, humour and patience.
If that sounds like you, we hope you’ll apply.
Questions? Email our Director Adam Sutherland at adam@grizedale.org in the first instance.
How to Apply
To apply please visit www.grizedale.org/opportunities to submit:
A single PDF document that includes both your Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter outlining your interest in this position (max. 4 sides of A4) Please also note that an Equal Opportunities survey is required of all applicants.
If you have access needs and would like to apply in a different format please email Adam Sutherland at adam@grizedale.org or call our office on 015394 41050 by GMT 17.00 on Friday 15th December
Extended closing date for applications: Monday 26th January 2026, midnight GMT
Shortlisted candidates will be notified during the week ending 13th February
Interviews: w/c 23rd February 2026 (in person)
Selection Panel
Adam Sutherland – Director of Grizedale Arts (GA)
Sam Hunt – GA Trustee
Katherine Shaw – GA Trustee & Volunteer
Mallory Durran – Local resident & Volunteer
