Interested in Becoming a Board trustee?

Background

The Oxmarket Centre of the Arts (also known as the Oxmarket Contemporary) is looking for new volunteers to join its Board of Trustees. The role will support the organisation as we implement a revised business plan and strategy to develop a sustainable framework for the operation of its gallery space in central Chichester. This is an exciting opportunity to volunteer and join our community-led hub supporting and encouraging artists, craftspeople and designers.

We are looking for enthusiastic Trustees from a range of backgrounds and able to represent the community within which we operate.  Trustees will join the existing board of 4 who are actively supporting the work of the organisation but recognise that both a broader range of skills and interests in addition to numbers is required to assist in moving the gallery forward.

The Organisation

The Oxmarket Centre of the Arts is a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee. We operate out of the de-consecrated grade II listed St Andrew-in-the-Oxmarket Church, a unique and historic venue in the heart of Chichester.  Since its establishment in 1976, we have played a key role in promoting arts and crafts in Chichester, and providing an opportunity for artists to showcase their work, and for everyone in the area to be able to see and learn to appreciate art, free of charge.

Our Mission Statement

The Oxmarket provides a modern and accessible exhibition space in the heart of Chichester and West Sussex for promoting the experience and appreciation of visual arts, music, poetry, literature and drama, and to make possible the wider practice and enjoyment of the arts.

Our Future

In 2021, a successful ‘REFRESH’ Campaign enabled a significant refurbishment and rebranding of the venue. We are currently going through a transition as the charity responds to the after-effects of the COVID restrictions, and the wider economic uncertainty which has impacted its traditional model of charging modest hire fees and commission to exhibiting artists.

We are exploring several different ways of revising our operating model, and have started a series of initiatives, including:

·         The expansion of the ‘Friends’ of the Oxmarket

·         The “Keeping Art Alive in Chichester’ campaign which is sourcing targeted funding to provide sponsorship/support for emerging, local, and young talent so that they can exhibit at the Oxmarket without the burden of hire charges

·         Development of our front-of-house shop

We are seeking to identify those amongst our expanded Board that can help with these existing initiatives, but also help to explore other opportunities. In addition, we would look for individuals who are particularly interested in assisting in the following areas:  

·         Volunteer recruitment and support

·         Finance and Operations

·         Environmental Responsibility

·         Governance Review

The charity has a genuine commitment to Inclusion and Diversity, but we recognise that our current Board is not reflective enough of the wider local community or of those artists which the Oxmarket seeks to support. We are therefore particularly keen to hear from people who can join us and ensure the leadership of our organisation is properly representative.

Responsibilities

Board members are expected to:

·         Act honestly, responsibly and with integrity, and at all times in the bests interests of the charity.

·         Promote the company and its objectives.

·         Help to ensure the company’s compliance with all legal and health & safety requirements / legislation.

·         Support and assist in grant and other funding applications.

·         Attend bi-monthly meetings (in person or online) with the intention that this would shift to quarterly meetings in 2024.

·         Positively represent the charity and where possible engage directly in its activities.

In the short term we are particularly looking for people who can also provide hands-on support with some of the day to day operational activities.

Working with the Chair, the Treasurer and the other Trustees, you will also need to:

·         Understand and be committed to the values and principles of the charity.

·         Understand the financial information about the organisation and ensure the finances are sound and properly managed and that resources are used efficiently and economically.

·         Ensure that the organisation is a good employer of its paid and voluntary staff.

·         Maintain the Trustees’ commitment to Board diversity, renewal and succession management in line with the Charity’s governing document.

This is a volunteer (pro bono) role.

Interested?

If you would like an informal chat about the role and/or more information, please contact us via the email below. To apply, please send a letter/email outlining why you are interested and your experience in relation to the role of a Board Trustee to: chair@oxmarket.org

We can alternatively arrange to meet you at the Gallery where you can also see for yourself how we are helping to keep art alive in the community.

If you have any access needs in relation to this, please let us know.

Thank you and we look forward to working with you!