Trustees Wanted at Art Space Portsmouth

Background

Art Space Portsmouth is a creative hub for visual artists and visual arts activity in the Portsmouth and Southeast Hampshire area. Originally founded in 1980 and based in a converted Methodist chapel in Brougham Road, Portsmouth, Art Space has for over 40 years been providing affordable artists’ studios and a small gallery space, for some 31 artist studio holders, and has some 25 external members, working across a wide range of art disciplines.

As a provider of affordable artist studios, and through a wider network of off-site artist members, Art Space represents a dynamic and diverse community of artists. It offers over 40 years of dedicated support for artists professional development, as well as projects and initiatives that have fostered strong local, national and international links.

The organisation is driven by its artist membership and guided by its needs and aspirations. It remains one of the few established arts organisations in the UK for whom direct, critical engagement with contemporary studio and gallery-based practice is key.

Art Space Portsmouth is a registered Charity No. 1106685 and a Company Ltd. Guarantee No. 01590132. As a registered charity, Art Space Portsmouth is managed by a Board of Trustees made up of both industry professionals and artist-members.

Board of Trustees

The current Board of Trustees are:
Chair – Artist Member Tracey McEachran
Vice Chair – Angela Parks

Artist Members and studio holders:
Rachel Johnston
Evagelia Hagikalfa

Non-Artist members:
Dr Anthony Cane, Dean of Portsmouth.
Peter Dawson, Tax Consultant.

See Trustees page for biographies.
The Company Secretary

The Board of Trustees meets formally six times a year with meetings taking place mainly at Brougham Road, Portsmouth, usually in the evenings and lasting approximately 2 hours. In addition, there is an annual general meeting (AGM) each year.

Opportunities to join the Board of Trustees.

We are looking to expand and strengthen our Board of Trustees and are seeking up to 4 new non-artists Trustees to join the Board of Trustees. These are voluntary positions. Ideally, we would like people to come forward who have a range of skills e.g., a legal expert with understanding of charity, property and employment law; someone with public sector experience and knowledge of local communities; someone with a background in fundraising and income generation or a financial professional with a knowledge of the charitable sector. More importantly we would like people who are able to make a difference. Being a Trustee allows you to contribute your skills and knowledge to the development of a dynamic and creative organisation. You gain valuable experience being part of the contemporary arts scene and engaging with artists and their diverse practices. Trustees importantly bring different voices, skillsets and experiences to the table that can be used to help build partnerships, communicate the activities and vision of the organisation and maintain its resilience as they govern the charity. This is an opportunity for people interested in the arts who have skills and wish to make a valuable contribution to Art Space Portsmouth.

How to apply

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Trustee, contact us at info@artspace.co.uk in the first instance. Applications are welcomed regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation.  In the first instance the application needs to be in the form of a covering letter/email setting out your experience, the reasons for your interest in Art Space and what you feel as a Trustee you could contribute to the organization. Ideally the letter/email should be accompanied by an up-to-date CV.

Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

Trustees are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum of Association; further details are available on request by emailing info@artspace.co.uk.

Following an initial introduction, a prospective Trustee is invited to visit Art Space Portsmouth to view the studio complex and meet with Chair, the Studio Programme Manager and some of the Artist-Members. This will be followed by an informal discussion with one or more of the existing Trustees.

Prospective Trustees may then be invited to attend a Board of Trustees meeting, as an observer. Following this the existing Trustees will meet to decide whether to co-opt the prospective Trustee onto the Board until the next AGM at which time there will be a vote by Members.