TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK - Theatre Orchard
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TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK
THEATRE ORCHARD
Theatre Orchard is a North Somerset based arts development
charity that seeks to grow an ambitious and playful creative culture
in North Somerset through professional performance, artist
development and community engagement. Our work is driven by a
commitment to both inclusion and equality of access to the arts
and a belief in the creative potential in each of us.
We create and present ambitious and diverse work with, for and by
the people of North Somerset through a wide ranging, dynamic
and inclusive programme of live and digital activity, from large
scale outdoor festivals to performances in schools, pubs and other
places where people naturally gather.
Our thriving engagement programme, including the Open Door
adult drama group, Youth Theatre and Chapter One creative
writing group, has expanded through Covid-19 to offer a digital
platform for creativity that keeps people and places connected.
Theatre Orchard became an Arts Council England National
Portfolio Organisation in 2018. Since then we’ve reached over
20,000 audience members, supported over 300 artists; including
six international companies, and worked with 3,000 people through
creative engagement. In 2019, our flagship outdoor arts festival
Whirligig, won Best Outdoor Small Event at the National Outdoor
Events Association Awards. The team currently consists of 2 full-
time staff and 5 part-time staff and is further supported by a team
of regular freelancers brought in for specific project delivery.
Cover: Whirligig Festival
2019 ©Paul Blakemore
In 2020, in partnership with Arts Council England and North
Somerset Council, we launched Culture Weston, a programme Below: Loves Live on the
that places people, community, creativity and culture at the heart Lawn, 2020 ©Paul
of Weston’s daily life and placemaking ambitions. Blakemore
THE OPPORTUNITY Above: This Crossing, 2020
©Paul Blakemore
Theatre Orchard is currently seeking a new Chair and at least one
additional new trustee at an exciting period of growth for the
organisation. We are looking for people who enjoy working as part
of a supportive, collaborative, but rigorous team, who are
passionate about the arts and the power they have to change
lives.
We’re looking for people who can bring their skills, knowledge and
experience to help shape the direction of organisation, support it to
achieve its full potential and act as a champion and advocate for
Theatre Orchard and its future.
We're looking for people from lots of different backgrounds. Maybe
you've been on other boards before and are looking for a new
challenge. Maybe you've never sat on a board before and want to
gain experience. Maybe you think you have something valuable to
offer us, like a particular skill or expertise.
In order to ensure a better representation on the board, we
particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian or ethnically
diverse people, disabled people and young people aged 18-24. If
you haven’t had board experience before, we can offer full
onboarding support, pairing you with an existing board member to
support you through the important bits.
There are also some areas of expertise we'r e keen to have
represented on the board. In particular, we are looking for new
board members with expertise in finance, fundraising and people
with links to local business and community groups.
We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their race,
sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
GOVERNANCE Theatre Orchard is both a limited company and a registered charity and, as such, is governed by the charitable objectives set out within its Memorandum & Articles of Association. The trustees are also directors of the company, therefore have both legal and financial duties under company law, and must comply with charity law. Theatre Orchard currently has 7 board members. Our current board members are from a variety of cultural and business sectors. Our current board members are: Emily Malcolm, Will Hahn, Paul Blakemore, Caroline Matthews (Chair), Lis Ellis, Tracey Farquhar- Beck and Alison Williams. TIME COMMITMENT Theatre Orchard board members serve a three-year term and are eligible for reappointment for one additional term. We hold 4 board meetings per year (currently online). We plan to hold at least 2 meetings per year at our office in Weston-super-Mare when possible. Outside of meetings, board members may be called upon for advice or assistance according to their skills and experience by the leadership team, and will be expected to attend performances and Below: Page pf the Sea, events, especially fundraising events where possible. 2020 ©Paul Blakemore
THE CHAIR
Our current Chair is stepping down after 8 years of
governance. We are looking for a new person who can
help shape the direction of the organisation. You will be
a passionate innovator and advocate of the arts as a
powerful vehicle for social change. You will be Theatre
Orchard’s champion and advocate, building on our
reputation, amplifying our key messages and articulating
the value and relevance of Theatre Orchard to others.
The Chair will ensure good governance and high
standards of organisational and financial management.
They will create a culture of savvy planning where a
dynamic board will thrive and make informed, ambitious
and strategic decisions. The Chair is the line manager Above: Whirligig Festival,
for the Creative Director and leads the annual appraisal 2018 ©Paul Blakemore
process for this role. Below: Whirligig Festival,
2018 ©Paul Blakemore
You might have previous experience as a Chair of an
arts, cultural organisation or other not-for-profit. Above
all you will be both visionary and strategic with an
engaging and collaborative leadership style.
THE CHAIR HAS PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADERSHIP IN THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
• Providing strategic vision and leadership, working closely with the Creative Director
• Promoting Theatre Orchard and its role to a range of stakeholders such as Arts Council
England, Weston College, North Somerset Council and West of England Combined Authority
• Being a fundraising champion, helping to develop relationships with existing supporters and
identify/approach potential new donors/ sponsors
• Promoting strong relationships and open communication between trustees and the Theatre
Orchard team
• Ensuring high standards of corporate governance and ethical/professional behaviour are
maintained
• With the Board, ensuring suitable financial monitoring and management is in place to ensure
long term financial stability
• Line managing the Creative Director and carrying out an annual appraisal of performance
• Developing the board agenda and chairing board meetings (4 per year) to enable inclusive,
constructive debate; thorough consideration of strategic matters; and effective decision-
making
TRUSTEES
Theatre Orchard’s board members provide knowledge, support and guidance to the
leadership team. They work with the Chair to ensure excellent governance,
encouraging all board members to work in partnership with the team to help Theatre
Orchard fulfil its ambitions.
As a board member you will…
• Provide strategic vision and leadership of Theatre Orchard, working closely with the
Creative Director, using your specific knowledge and experience to provide advice
and guidance on issues relevant to your area of special expertise
• Act as an ambassador for Theatre Orchard locally, regionally and nationally
• Assist the Chair and team in setting the strategic direction for the organisation with
effective monitoring, helping to drive innovation
• Help to ensure good governance and management to achieve financial stability,
resilience and statutory compliance
• Uphold and review Theatre Orchard policy
• Behave with integrity and in the best interests of Theatre Orchard
Key Attributes
• Works with vision and creativity
• Ability to think both strategically and creatively
• Ability to act as a champion and advocate for Theatre Orchard
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Can build strong productive relationships
• Ability and skills to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and partners Below: Chapter One
• Ability to work effectively and inclusively as a member of a team Speakeasy creative writing
group, 2019 ©Paul
Blakemore
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re interested in applying:
• Please send us a one-page (max) expression of interest telling us why you’d like to join
the board and what skills and experience you could bring
• Please also include a CV
• Please also complete our Equal Opportunities monitoring form
Please send applications to vic@theatreorchard.org.uk with the subject heading ‘Theatre
Orchard Board Recruitment’.
If you’d like to apply using a video or audio file, that’s absolutely fine, or if there are any
other barriers to you applying please get in touch and we’d be happy to discuss.
Closing date for expressions of interest is 5pm Monday 19 April 2021.
Once the deadline has passed, we will review all applications. If we think you might be a
good fit and you meet the basic criteria, Fiona (our Creative Director) and Caroline (the
current Chair) will arrange a time to meet you informally (this won’t be an interview) just a
friendly chat.
Following this we’ll invite those candidates that feel like the best match for Theatre
Orchard to observe our next board meeting. If you’d like to formally join as a board
member after that meeting you’ll be signed up in time for the following meeting in May.
If you’d like to have a conversation about becoming a board member, please contact our
Creative Director fionamatthews@theatreorchard.org.uk .
’9 Million Nobodies’ Made in Bristol and Theatre Lounge
©Marie-Dominique
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