Over the past few months I’ve seen many arts organisations advertising for new trustees/directors. It’s so exciting to see and feels like an incredible time to make incredible change throughout the arts sector in Wales. However, I have this sneaky suspicion that most artists won’t even consider applying for these roles. So, here I am writing to convince at least one freelance artist to decide to apply to become a trustee.
You may be thinking, ‘Krystal, that’s ridiculous, in this economy you think you’re going to convince me to do work for free for some mega rich organisation?’.
First, they’re mostly not mega rich and second, yes, that is my goal. Below are 8 reasons for you to become a trustee based on my nearly FOUR years as Trustee of National Dance Company Wales.
8 Reasons to Become a Trustee
Most Board of Trustees meet four times per year either in-person, remotely, or hybrid. That is your time commitment. It’s easy to hear ‘volunteer’ and panic that they aim to steal loads of your time but the commitment you make isn’t imposing.
You get FREE tickets to shows and invites to rehearsals. I’ve been able to see NDCWales way more than I could before because I have access to free tickets to every production. The aim of this is to ensure the Board of Trustees remains connected to the company’s activities but as a dancer, this has been incredible for my artistic practice and development.
They pay reasonable expenses. If you need to travel for a board away day (a day-long board meeting with free food:) the company is allowed to pay your travel expenses. While it would be a conflict of interest to be paid to be a trustee, you can be given funds to cover your costs to be on the Board of Trustees.
They WANT artists on their boards. A Board of Trustees is strengthened by the broadest range of voices, so having a working freelance artist on the board to give that perspective to all of the discussions is invaluable.
Your work and schedule does matter to the Board of Trustees. If you are on tour or have rehearsals, they are very understanding. You won’t get kicked off if you have to miss a meeting for work.
Being a Trustee looks great on job applications for senior leadership opportunities not only in the arts but in all sectors. It’s easy to assume it means nothing, but organisations/companies value the vast amount of learning and development that takes place when you spend time on a board. So adding Trustee experience on your CV strengthens your chances of getting senior leadership positions.
The discussion has a purpose. It’s easy to end up in discussions about the change you wish you could see in the arts sector but then you all just walk away afterwards and move on with your lives. Being on a Board of Trustees means that your discussions will directly make change.
You meet really passionate people. While it’s easy to assume that a Board of Trustees is only filled with super old, super rich, super boring people - but they’re not. And the boards that are probably aren’t very effective. In order for a Board of Trustees to be most effective there NEEDS to be diversity in every single way. I’ve met so many incredibly interesting people, who are all so passionate about the arts that they give up their time to make things better.
To make things easy, here is a list with deadlines for organisations currently seeking trustees.
Choose one whose work you value and apply!
I have no other information about these opportunities than what is publicly available but, I’m happy to proof read any applications for artists. Email me at Krystalslowe.contact@gmail.com with your draft and a deadline to send my thoughts back to you.
