Freelance Community and Education Producer, Hackney Empire

Context:
Hackney Empire is about to embark on the Development Phase of a project, The Heart of Hackney, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

The project aims:

• To conserve, protect, and upgrade our iconic historic Grade II* Listed building for future audiences, including environmental improvements to continue our carbon reduction
• To secure and communicate how Hackney's changing communities shaped the theatre's 125-year rich heritage of popular and radical programming; the diverse audiences and artists involved in the vanishing arts of Variety, Magic and Music Hall alongside the surviving ones of Music, Comedy, Carnival and Pantomime
• Engage new communities with local heritage tracing how East London's Migration Heritage has driven our mission to help historically disenfranchised people find their voice on our stage
• Record the achievements of historical artists and past participants through an exhibition to increase the visibility of the contribution made by artists and audiences from under-represented, East London and low socio-economic backgrounds
• Create mentored opportunities for young people to connect with Hackney Empire's history and their own futures.

The Role:
The Freelance Community and Education Producer will lead on the Community, Education and Heritage Engagement elements during the Development Phase of the project. The Community and Education Producer will work closely with the wider project team, contributing to research and development, running consultation and listening events, engaging young people, school children and the wider community with Hackney Empire's heritage. The aim is to tell the story of Hackney Empire's heritage in the context of its local communities and artists.

Contract: Freelance contract between w/c 12 Jan-w/c 12 Oct 2026. Approximately 6 days (7 hours per day) each month.

Fee: £15,000 (excluding VAT if applicable) paid in monthly instalments