ARTICHOKE 
YOUNG TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK

APPLY BY: 9:00am Friday 30th September 


Are you aged 18Ð25? 
Are you interested in learning more about how a Board of Trustees works? 
Do you want to help shape our extraordinary programme of events?

If your answer is yes, then we need YOU to get ON BOARD!  

2023 will be an exciting year of development for us: we are exploring new territories, embracing new digital technologies and seeking new ways to engage with artists and audiences.  
We need people with fresh perspectives and a different point of view in order to fulfil our aims. This is why we're looking for TWO YOUNG TRUSTEES who want to make a difference and join our Board.

Within this pack, we will walk you through the memorable projects that we have produced, explain what our Board actually does and guide you through the process of becoming a Trustee.   

We are particularly keen to receive applications from under-represented communities which include, but are not limited to: those with disabilities and learning disabilities; d/Deaf people; People of Colour; members of the LGBTQIA2+ communities; and those who identify as gender nonconforming. 

Artichoke is an Equal Opportunities employer, and is committed to equality and diversity within all its opportunities. We want our Board of Trustees to reflect this commitment.  
Emily Lake - Deputy Director of Operations
ARTICHOKE IS A SMALL COMPANY WITH BIG AMBITIONS

Artichoke was founded in 2005 by Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb. Every one of our productions exists in a unique, unforgettable moment in time. Our speciality is spectacular, large-scale, unprecedented shows with high production values that attract live audiences in their hundreds of thousands.
Their economic impact can be measured in millions of pounds, amplified by national, international and online media. We donÕt believe the arts should take place only behind the closed doors of theatres, concert halls or galleries. Instead, you will find us working in the street, public squares, along the coast or in the countryside.
We work with imaginative artists to realise their wildest dreams and create shared experiences which stay in the memory forever.

KEY PROJECTS

The SultanÕs Elephant (2006)
In 2006, we brought London to a standstill with our now-legendary presentation of Royal de LuxeÕs The SultanÕs Elephant - the biggest piece of free, outdoor theatre London has ever seen. Over four days, over a million were captivated by the adventures of an enormous mechanical elephant and a giant puppet girl.

The Telectroscope (2008)
In 2008, we produced the incredible Telectroscope by Paul St George. We connected London and New York, inviting people from both cities to interact with the other side of the world.

One & Other (2009)
Back in the summer of 2009, for 100 continuous days and nights, 2400 people took it in turns to stand on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Conceived by the artist Antony Gormley, we produced One & Other, creating a living portrait of the UK in the 21st Century.

Lumiere (2009 - )
In 2009, we established this biennial light festival in the historic city centre of Durham. The first edition attracted 75,000 visitors and over the years that audience has grown to upwards of 240,000!

Peace Camp (2012)
During the summer of 2012, nine mysterious, glowing encampments appeared simultaneously at some of the UK's most beautiful and remote coastal locations, from County Antrim to the tip of Cornwall. Designed to be visited between dusk and dawn, Peace Camp was a poignant exploration of poetry and a celebration of the extraordinary beauty of our coastline. The project had been created by Deborah Warner in collaboration with Fiona Shaw, while Mel Mercier composed a mesmerising soundscape.

PROCESSIONS (2018)
To celebrate 100 years since the first women in the UK got the right to vote, some of the UK capitals saw tens of thousands of women participating in a 'once in a lifetime' event based on an idea by Darrell Vydelingum. They marched through the streets holding handmade banners forming a mass participation artwork commissioned by 14-18 NOW.

Sanctuary (2022)
Designed by David Best, Sanctuary was an intricately carved wooden temple built in the MinersÕ Welfare Park in Bedworth. The structure, built with the local community, rose to commemorate the NationÕs loss during Covid. On the 28th May, ten thousand people gathered at sunset for a moment of catharsis as the structure was set ablaze.

The Gallery (2022 - )
Our most recent project, The Gallery, has exhibited 10 thought-provoking artworks on public billboards and digital screens across the UK. Every six months The Gallery will return as we strive to produce arts experiences that exist outside the walls of traditional museums and theatres, establishing a new kind of cultural institution.

BUT... WHAT IS A BOARD?

A Board is a group of individuals responsible for making sure that the organisation continues trying to accomplish its mission. Most charitable organisations have a Board of Trustees that govern them. Our Trustees are responsible for governing the company and supporting its operational management. The Board meets four times a year in order to agree strategy, set policy and work with the executive team to deliver our work.

ItÕs important to stress that becoming a Trustee will not lead to a job at Artichoke. To learn more about Trusteeship and governance, visit Young Trustees Movement.
WeÕre looking for people who are interested in gaining experience at Board level. You will learn how collaboration, knowledge and perspective can help guide organisations.

ÒArtichokeÕs immersive, transformational and bold projects are a model for life-affirming spectacles everywhere. We are going to need them in the critical times ahead.Ó
~ Dr. Francisco LaRubia-Prado ~

WE NEED YOUR VOICE
Fewer than 3% of charity trustees are under 30!
Responsibilities of a Trustee:
* Work as part of a team to help set strategies in accordance with our governing document, as well as legal and regulatory guidelines 

* Ensure that the Company operates within the legal and financial requirements of the Charity Commission  

* Advise, monitor and evaluate the organisation's progress against its stated aims and objectives

* Attend fundraising and networking events

* Approve annual accounts, finances and strategic plans as a team 

* Sit on recruitment, advisory and disciplinary panels as required 

* Be a champion and promoter of Artichoke

We would like to reshape our Board through the addition of fresh, insightful young Trustees. We don't expect you to have previous experience in governance and whilst Trustees are unpaid, the experience that you will gain is invaluable.  
A background in the arts is not required and we particularly encourage applicants with knowledge or experience in Tech, Science, Media, Environment and the Voluntary Sector to apply.
What we ask of you:
* To serve an initial term of 1 year (with the possibility of re-appointment) 

* To advocate and champion ArtichokeÕs work, values, ambition and strategic direction

* To attend four Board Meetings a year  

OUR CURRENT TRUSTEES
Stephanie Flanders (Chair) 
Dal Babu OBE 					Jan Boud 
DesirŽe Clark-Noble 				Allan Cook 
Laia Gasch 					Tony Heaton OBE 
Ruth Hogarth 					Richard Kitson OBE 
Shirley Rodrigues 				Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf
Helen Marriage MBE

How are we funded?
Artichoke is a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and receives annual core funding of £477k from the Arts Council.  
Each project costs an average of £2 million to produce. Funds are raised from a variety of sources including local authority investment, individual giving, sponsorship, grants from trusts & foundations and earned income. 
In general, our projects are free for the public to attend and we do not have a transactional relationship with our audiences or participants so rarely see any income from tickets or sales.
Our staff currently consists of 23 employees in a mixture of full and part-time roles working as four departments; Production, Development, Communications and Admin & Finance. When we move into the delivery phase of a project, we supplement our team with freelancers, agencies and principal contractors. Depending on their size and scale, we typically produce up to three projects a year.
The company maintains six monthsÕ operating costs in General Reserves.

What will you get out of this opportunity?
* An induction where you can ask questions and meet the staff 

* Mentorship from existing Board Members who will offer support and guidance 

* Practical experience in working as a team to make difficult decisions and challenging typical ways of working

* A great experience to add to your CV 

* Flexible check-ins to ask questions and strengthen new skills

* The chance to grow your network, meeting people from different professional and working backgrounds 

* Invitations to all of our events, launch nights and engagements

HOW TO APPLY
If you are aged 18-25, passionate about ArtichokeÕs work and UK-based, follow the instructions below. 
To submit your application, please send the following to recruitment@artichoke.uk.com: 
* A one-page cover letter OR a short video (no more than 3 minutes) addressed to Helen Marriage detailing why you are interested in becoming a Trustee and what you would bring to the role. 

* Your CV (no more than two A4 pages). To reiterate, experience in governance or the arts is not necessary.  

* A completed Equal Opportunities form* which can be found alongside this pack. This Form will be kept separate from your application throughout the recruitment process.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to meet our Senior Management Team and a member of our Board. 
If you have any access requirements, questions or need to use alternative methods of application please do not hesitate to get in touch.
APPLY BY: 9:00am Friday 30th September 
INTERVIEW DATES: w/c 17th October

Website:?www.artichoke.uk.com  
Email: recruitment@artichoke.uk.com 
Phone: 020 7650 7611 (MonÐFri, 10AM-6PM) 	

*Applications for this role are open to all regardless of disability, sexuality, gender identity, ethnicity, caring responsibilities, socio-economic background and/or religion.