Interested in becoming a Trustee? Soul City Arts is recruiting!
Soul City Arts (SCA) is a Birmingham based arts organisation with a local, national and global remit, committed to developing creative programmes with a vision of ‘connecting communities and transforming society through creativity’.
The organisation is founded and led by artist and curator Mohammed Ali MBE, who has built a strong team over the past two decades. We create events and programmes that explore commonalities and shared narratives of people across all faiths and those of differing perspectives. We seek to build hope, pride and confidence within communities enabling them to celebrate themselves and their narratives. We like to help tell the stories of everyday people in extraordinary form.
SCA is based at a former industrial warehouse in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, which we have named ‘Port Hope’. We have transformed the space into a creative oasis in the middle of inner-city Birmingham. Whilst we have delivered programmes across the UK and around the globe, we are proud to be embedded in the community and remain committed to delivering locally. Following our recent success in becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, this is the perfect time to join the team as we continue to build our team, offer, and reach.
Board members and Chair of the Board (Unpaid)
SCA is seeking to recruit individuals to serve on our board and one or more individuals to act as Chair of the Board. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who are passionate about the arts and who believe the arts can deliver meaningful benefits and social change in our communities. Those who are rooted in and who could represent one of Birmingham’s diverse communities are especially encouraged to apply.
Trustee of Soul City Arts
The duties of a trustee are as follows:
• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
• Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (i.e. its trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
• Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the employees
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.
Trustee Person Specification
• A commitment to the organisation • A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort • Strategic vision • Good, independent judgement • An ability to think creatively • A willingness to speak their mind • An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship • An ability to work effectively as a member of a team • A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership • A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Role Description for the Chair
In addition to the general responsibilities of a Trustee, duties of the Chair include the following:
• Providing leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit
• Chairing and facilitating board meetings
• Giving direction to board policy-making
• Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented
• Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate
• Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
• With SCA Director/s:
• Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required, for example annual general meeting
• Setting agendas for board and other general meetings
• Developing the board of Trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning
• Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaising with the Director/s to achieve this
• Where staff are employed:
• Liaising with the Executive Director to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate
• Leading the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the Director/s
• Sitting on appointment and disciplinary panels
Person Specification for the Chair
In addition to the person specification for a Trustee, the Chair should have the following qualities:
• Leadership skills • Experience of committee work • Tact and diplomacy • Good communication and interpersonal skills • Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences. In most circumstances, it would also be desirable for the Chair/Vice-Chair to have knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation and a wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks.
• The Vice-Chair acts for the Chair when the Chair is not available and undertakes assignments at the request of the Chair
To Apply
Deadline for Trustee applications – open
Deadline for Chair applications – 30th Nov 2023
Please vist out website and download a full job pack before applying.
Summary of Process
Please submit a two-page statement or recording (video or audio) answering the following questions addressing your interest and suitability for the position you are applying for.
In your statement, please provide the following:
- Please provide your full name and contact information (email, contact number, address)
- Tell us what excites you most about Soul City Arts?
- Tell us more about you and your interest in this specific role?
- Please provide up to three examples of your experience which you believe best demonstrates your ability to deliver the role for which you have applied?
- Tell us about a recent creative experience that you really enjoyed?
- What does community and inclusion mean to you?
- Please also provide details of two referees (name, job titles, organisations, email and contact number if known).
Applications should be sent to email provided on the recruitment page on our website.
SCA is committed to equal opportunities and will treat all applications fairly on the basis of submissions. To support us with our monitoring processes, please complete the anonymous equal opportunities form available on our website.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role or of Soul City Arts’ future plans please contact Executive Director, Rajpal Pardesi via links provided on our website.