Engage Trustees

Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, is seeking new trustees to join our established and dedicated Board in November 2019. The Board, which currently has 15 members, meets quarterly.

We are interested in applications from individuals (including practising artists) with knowledge and expertise in visual arts education and gallery education. In particular, we are seeking applications from colleagues based in Wales, Scotland or one of the regions of England (outside of London).

About Engage

Engage is the lead professional association in the field of gallery education, with about 900 members in the UK and abroad. A registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, Engage is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and receives funding from Creative Scotland, the Arts Council of Wales and from a number of trusts and foundations.

Mission
Engage is the lead advocacy and training network for gallery education.

Vision
We support arts educators, organisations and artists to work together with communities in dynamic, open exchanges that give everyone the opportunity to learn and benefit from the arts.

• Values
• Community
• Leadership
• Inclusiveness

Engage currently works across four main strands:

• Advocacy – making the case to stakeholders and funders for the role of gallery education and the resources needed to deliver it;
• Dissemination – sharing gallery education practice with and beyond the visual arts and education sectors in the UK and internationally;
• Professional development – support for gallery education professionals and for colleagues in related areas at all levels of experience;
• Research and activities – supporting the development of innovative gallery education practice through work with galleries and visual arts venues across the UK and internationally.

The roles and responsibilities of the Engage Board

The role of the Engage Board is to:

• Ensure Engage functions within the legal and financial requirements of a company and charitable organisation;
• Be responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Engage;
• Determine policy;
• Agree on the annual budget and decide on any major resource issues;
• Approve the annual accounts;
• Appoint senior staff;
• Carry out the appraisal of senior staff;
• Monitor performance against agreed objectives and targets;
• Represent and promote Engage externally;
• Assist in fundraising from the public and private sectors;
• Observe the Memorandum and Articles of Association (Engage’s regulatory governing documents).

The Board includes members with special responsibilities and roles, the key roles being Chair, Vice-chairs, and Treasurer.

Trustee Role Description

The statutory duties of each Engage trustee are to:

• Ensure that Engage complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations;
• Ensure that Engage pursues its objects as defined in its governing document;
• Ensure that Engage applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives;
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets;
• Safeguard Engage’s good name and values;
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of Engage;
• Ensure the financial stability of Engage;
• Protect and manage the property of Engage and ensure the proper investment of its funds;
• Appoint the Director and monitor their performance.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each board member should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions.

This may involve:

• Scrutinising board papers;
• Leading discussions affecting Engage and the sector;
• Focusing on key issues;
• Providing guidance on new initiatives;
• Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Trustee Specification

• A commitment to Engage and its work;
• Willingness to devote time and expertise;
• Experience of developing a strategic vision;
• Good, independent judgement;
• The ability to think creatively and share ideas;
• Willingness to speak their mind;
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship;
• The ability to respect confidences;
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team;
• Willingness to act as an ambassador for Engage;
• Adherence to the Nolan Committee’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

This is a voluntary position and is not remunerated however travel and when necessary accommodation expenses may be paid.

Terms of Appointment

Engage Trustees are appointed for a three-year period. A maximum of two terms of three years can be served. 

This is a voluntary position and is not remunerated. However, travel and when necessary accommodation expenses may be paid.