Do you have a strong interest in the performing arts? Would you be interested in a rewarding and exciting opportunity to add to the cultural life of Dumfries and Galloway?
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival seeks new trustees to join its Board. Apart from our renowned Festival held over 10 days each May, we provide a diverse year-round, region-wide programme of performing arts events and activities, as well as regular opportunities for young people (14-26 years) to develop a wide range of creative industries’ focused skills and knowledge.
Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2024, the festival has grown to be Scotland’s largest rural, performing arts event. Through our activities, both in May and the rest of each year, we contribute significantly to the cultural, social and economic fabric of the region.
We would like to recruit people who share our vision for our organisation and contribute to the ongoing strategic development and effective governance of everything we do. While not necessary attributes, we are looking particularly for people with skills and experience in the development of community resilience and regeneration, environmental sustainability and finance. Most importantly, we seek people with a passion for Dumfries & Galloway and the further development of the region as a great place to live, work and enjoy life.
The trustees meet every quarter in Dumfries. We also have one organisation and board development day each year. As our meetings are hybrid in form – combining face to face and online attendance – we welcome applications from any part of Scotland, although residing in or having strong connections to Dumfries & Galloway would be an advantage.
If you are interested in finding out more before making an application, please contact us: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk We will then supply contact details for Claudia Wood, our chairperson, so you can arrange an informal discussion with her.
Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival 2023 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVLrKLqH7I&feature=emb_title
HOW TO APPLY
If you would like to apply directly, please email the following to: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk
A covering letter stating why you would like to become a trustee and what skills and experience you have to offer our organisation.
A CV
We also request you fill in a voluntary and anonymous equalities, diversity & inclusion form: https://forms.gle/MZK33p3VLqP38Md18
We welcome applications in alternative formats, such as BSL, Braille, sound or video recording or transcribed by phone. We have a budget for removing barriers you might face to applying and performing the role. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this in more detail, or to submit it by phone.
As a rural organisation, working in an urban-centric performance sector, we recognise the urgent need to centre the work of marginalised people as an essential act for achieving equality in society. Our organisation is especially welcoming of applications from people who face marginalisation, including D/deaf and/or disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people, women, people of colour, working class, and any other related background or identity. If you often feel excluded from opportunities, we would like to hear from you and support you.
Description of duties
The role of the Board is to guide the overall direction of the organisation, fulfil the necessary legal duties of a trustee, and provide leadership, advice and support. Trustees jointly assume responsibility and work closely together to ensure that these functions are met.
Trustees’ key duties require them to:
- Act always in the interests of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival
- Ensure that the organisation complies at all times with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
- Ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document
- Maintain proper financial control and ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects
- Contribute actively to the role of the Board in giving coherent and relevant strategic direction to the organisation, approving overall policy, aims and objectives and evaluating performance against agreed targets
- Safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
- Ensure the financial stability of the organisation
- Protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure proper use of the organisation’s funds
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use all the skills, knowledge and experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions. They will involve scrutinising discussion papers, leading and contributing usefully discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, as well as leading on other subject areas in which the trustee has special expertise.
More information about the role and responsibilities of a trustee can be found in the Office of the Scottish Charity Regular’s Guidance and Good Practice for Charity Trustees: http://www.oscr.org.uk/charities/guidance/guidance-and-good-practice-for-charity-trustees