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Location

Wakefield, West Yorkshire | United Kingdom

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Job description

The Art House in Wakefield is searching for a new Chair of Trustees.  Come help us empower and transform communities through art and creativity.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to be embarking on the first year of a recently developed five-year strategy and we’d love for you to help us get there. 

The Chair of The Art House is responsible for leading the Board of Trustees and ensuring that the charity fulfils its mission, vision, and values. The Chair works closely with the Chief Executive and other senior staff to provide strategic direction, governance oversight and stakeholder engagement. The Chair also represents The Art House externally and acts as an ambassador for its work.

What are we looking for?

The ideal candidate for the Chair of The Art House will have the following skills, experience and attributes:

• A passion for the arts and a commitment to the charity's mission, vision and values.
• Significant experience of leadership and governance.
• Experience of leading growth in an organisation through innovative approaches.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, and the ability to oversee and scrutinise the charity's performance and plans.
• A collaborative and supportive style, and the ability to foster a culture of trust, respect and accountability within the Board and the charity.
• Availability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role, including attending regular Board meetings, events and activities.

In addition, we ask that all Trustees have:

• A relevant professional background and experience, such as in the arts, place making/regeneration, health/wellbeing, law, fundraising, marketing, education, disability advocacy, arts management, social enterprise or business.
• Experience of serving on a board or committee, or in a senior leadership or advisory role, preferably in the charity or arts sector.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, and the ability to work effectively as part of a diverse and collaborative team.
• Sound judgement, analytical and decision-making skills, and the ability to deal with complex and sensitive issues.
• A willingness to learn and develop as a trustee, and to participate in training and development opportunities.
• A passion for and knowledge of the arts, and an appreciation of the role and value of the charity in promoting and supporting the arts sector.

What difference will you make?

In 2022/23 The Art House welcomed 23,217 people through our door.  25% of those people (5,800) engaged in our learning, participation and/or social impact programmes.

Our 45 studios are full to capacity – with 25 of them housing individual artists for their practice and the other 20 housing creative businesses , entrepreneurs, social enterprises and charities

Our Maker Spaces welcomed 1,841 people , all who used the spaces multiple times both for paid classes and free engagement activities.  59 artists used the Maker Spaces as Members for over 1,677 hours of professional work.

Our Studio of Sanctuary Programme worked with an astonishing 2,184 people , 586 of them being local and 1,592 being either refugees of people seeking asylum .  Most of these people participated multiple times – these are not one-offs

Our Arts and Health Programme worked with 129 people , for multi-week workshops, usually for not less than 4 weeks.

Our Makey Wakey Programme directly impacted 3,400 participants , and supported the development and sustainability of 7 social enterprises, 5 charities and 5 individual artists .  It has also launched 2 successful businesses who now rent space on their own:  My Eco Baby (also the BID award winner Best New Business) and Hamid The Tailor.  

Our Artist Residencies and Exhibitions involved 32 artists , with 92% of them being either disabled or traditionally marginalised by other protected characteristics.

Before you apply

We all have our own preferred ways of communicating, so you can either send us your CV and a covering letter or a video clip via Reach.

In the covering letter or video clip please address the following questions:

• Why are you interested in becoming a trustee with us?
• What skills, knowledge or experience you would bring (this could be lived, learned or practiced)?
• How do you meet the personal qualities outlined?

If you'd like to have an informal chat to find out a bit more, please contact Sydney, CEO.

Causes

• Arts

Organisation type: 

Charity

The Art House is a visual arts centre in the heart of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. We believe in the power of art and creativity, and the ability it has to transform people’s lives and the places...

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Job tags

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Salary