Applied Arts Scotland is inviting applications to join our Board of Trustees.
We are seeking to appoint two new Board Members.
You are eligible to join the board if:
- You are a Professional Member of Applied Arts Scotland or are eligible for professional membership. Eligibility criteria can be found here. In brief, you will be a professional maker predominantly working in Scotland.
- You are (or are eligible to be) an Associate Member of Applied Arts Scotland. Eligibility criteria can be found here. In brief, you will be working in a role aligned to the craft sector in Scotland, whether en route to becoming a professional maker or working in an organisation/role that supports the craft sector.
We particularly welcome Board Member applications from makers who are from under-represented groups.
No previous Board experience is required; in taking on this role you will be supported by the organisation to develop your skills, networks and experience of working in a team.
BOARD MEMBER ROLE PROFILE
Applied Arts Scotland (AAS) is run by a Board of up to ten volunteers, at least 7 of whom are professional makers living and working in Scotland and at various stages of their careers. The Board are collectively responsible for how AAS is run, and meet together every 2-3 months and more regularly in working groups to do this.
We want to ensure that the voices on the Board of AAS reflect the diversity of makers and their experiences across the craft sector in Scotland.
Benefits of being a Board Member
Board Members have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects that support the maker community in Scotland and internationally. These include:
- Maker collaborations and working together at distance.
- Delivering opportunities for discussion and peer to peer skill and knowledge exchange.
- Creative and professional development activities for makers including our new digital toolkit.
- Apprenticeships, skills development and activities to support varied types of career development in making.
- Sustainability of materials and practice and the circular economy.
- Development of international maker projects and networks including activities in Mexico, Canada, Thailand, Nepal and India.
Board Members are also encouraged and supported to develop and lead their own projects to build on their own personal areas of interest.
We draw on the collective knowledge of AAS Board Members to guide and inform our projects, so are looking for both experienced makers and those with less experience who are keen to learn, expand their networks and build their confidence working within a supportive craft organisation.
Board Member Responsibilities
- Acting in the best interests of AAS at all times.
- Keeping up-to-date with the work of AAS and its mission.
- Keeping up-to-date with best practice from the national and international craft sector.
- Actively contributing to discussions about what we do, why and how.
- Regularly attending and taking a full part in meetings.
- Identifying training needs to help with running the organisation.
- Understanding the finances of AAS, making sure that we have enough funds to meet our obligations and that there are clear lines of accountability for financial management.
- Maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive information related to AAS.
To do this effectively, Board Members need to have or be willing to work towards achieving the following skills:
- Awareness of the needs of professional or professionalising makers.
- Willingness to share your knowledge of craft sector needs.
- Desire to use your awareness to help deliver tangible benefits to the maker community.
- Desire to actively take part in lively discussions enabling makers’ voices to be heard.
- Willingness to listen to and express differing viewpoints.
- Time and availability to attend Board meetings.
- Willingness to act in the best interests of AAS.
- Willingness and ability to learn, develop and examine own attitudes and those of the organisation.
- Ability or willingness to learn how to work effectively as a member of a team.
- Ability to understand and accept responsibilities and liabilities as Board members.
OTHER INFORMATION
This is a voluntary role and is not paid. However, Board Members are reimbursed for all reasonable out of pocket expenses (for example, travel to attend board meetings).
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Board Member, please email hello@appliedartsscotland.org.uk to arrange a chat with a current Board Member.
APPLICATIONS
Send us a copy of your CV and a covering letter that explains why you are interested in becoming a Board Member at AAS and what you would bring to it, or a short video outlining this information, to hello@appliedartsscotland.org.uk by Friday 22 October 2021.
The new board will be proposed at the AGM on Saturday 30 October 2021.
