Blog

BECOME A TRUSTEE

BRIEF FOR THE POSITION OF TRUSTEE

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange is run by a small team, governed by a Board of volunteer Trustees, providing strategic direction and support to staff. We are now seeking to appoint up to five new members to the Board. We are seeking people with the experience, knowledge and commitment to support our existing work. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity: we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

GOVERNANCE AND OUR BOARD

The Board of Trustees meet on a bi-monthly basis, face-to-face or by Zoom, and has a number of sub-groups, including finance and programming committees. In order to ensure effective governance and support for the executive team, we seek to balance the range of skills and experience amongst the Trustees to match the needs of the organisation.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We need Trustees who are passionate about the work of the gallery. We also want to increase representation on our Board by:

  • Global majority
  • Younger people (between 18 and 30)
  • People who identify as Cornish
  • Disabled people
  • People who are LGBTQIA+
  • Artists
  • Curators
  • Press, marketing & communications
  • Financial or legal specialists
  • People with knowledge of teaching and innovative educational practice in schools
  • People with a commitment to supporting our work in response to the Climate Emergency

THE TRUSTEES’ ROLE

Whilst we don’t expect all Trustees to be expert in all areas of governance, we do need to ensure that collectively the Board is able to provide the Gallery Director and team with access to a range of knowledge, skills, and experience to operate effectively. Collectively members of the Board of Trustees must:

  • Commit to the vision and values of Newlyn Art Gallery Ltd
  • Be willing to contribute their skill and expertise fully to the Board’s collective decision-making
  • Act as advocates for Newlyn Art Gallery Ltd
  • Play an active role in the gallery’s search for funding
  • Accept the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
  • Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role and in particular be available to attend Zoom Board meetings, support the Gallery Director and attend events as appropriate, and participate in sub-committees or groups as agreed
  • Be able to work effectively as part of a team

Newlyn Art Gallery embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We value all the perspectives our team brings to the table and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to apply even if you do not fit 100% of the requirements.

Being a Trustee is a voluntary role, however your expenses will be covered in order to support your work on behalf of the gallery. The law dictates that Trustees must be 18 or over but young and first-time Trustees are very welcome. New Trustees will be offered training and support, including mentoring if appropriate.

Applications from outside of Cornwall are welcomed. Trustees will be required to attend regular Board Meetings, on Teams or Zoom. We hope to be able to bring all Trustees together in Cornwall at least once a year.

TERM OF OFFICE

Trustees are usually appointed for a three-year term, however, younger Trustees may be offered a one-year appointment if this provides them with greater flexibility to pursue their medium-term educational or career plans. Trustees may be reappointed for a second term, at the discretion of the Chair.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in joining our Board, we’d love to hear from you.
You application should include a statement of no more than 500 words to explain why you are interested in the position. Alternatively you may prefer to make a short video of yourself, recorded on your phone, providing the same information. Either would be equally welcome. This information should be emailed to Miranda Bird, Chair of the Trustees: [email protected]

Application deadline: 17.00, FRI 20 SEP 2024.

We want to make sure we do all we can to make applying for this role a positive experience for you. Therefore if you require adjustments or additional support, please get in touch with James Green, Gallery Director, who will be happy to provide you with what you need.
Email [email protected] or call 07729 333 016.

More details here Trustee Recruitment

We look forward to hearing from you.

  • The Exchange. Photo by Simon Cook

  • Climate emergency discussion taking place beneath Andre Kong’s, Elephant in the Room. Storm Warning exhibition. 2024. The Exchange

  • Team installing some of the postcards from 6000 postcard correspondents from around the world. Extraordinary Postcards for Extraordinary Times. Newlyn Art Gallery. Sep 2022.

  • Denzil Forrester drawing workshop. Captured Beauty exhibition curated by Black Voices Cornwall. 2022