POST: GENERAL MANAGER
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Birnam Arts is a 125 year old Scottish charity which, until 1998, was based in a purpose built Victorian building in the centre of Birnam village and provided community facilities for the surrounding Perthshire rural area
In 1998 the then Birnam Institute obtained approximately £2 million of capital funding for a refurbishment and development project which led to the opening of the award winning arts and community centre.
Birnam Arts is still run as a charitable trust for the provision of an Arts and Community Centre for the communities of Birnam, Dunkeld and the surrounding area. The Management of the Trust resides in a Board of Trustees drawn from the community.
The commercial activities of Birnam Arts are organized through a company limited by guarantee, Birnam I Ltd. This enables Birnam Arts to take part in trading activities and any profits generated are transferred to the Charitable Trust.
The principal commercial activities are the café, conferences, events including parties and wedding receptions and a gift shop.
Out with its commercial activities the Birnam Institute promotes its own Arts Programme with exhibitions, music and theatre for all ages. There are workshop facilities, including a dance and drama studio and arts/pottery workshop with Kiln.
The main hall seats up to 220 people and incorporates excellent sound and lighting facilities and projection equipment for film/conferencing.
Birnam Arts also hosts an exhibition based on Beatrix Potter’s experiences in Perthshire and Birnam, which also includes children’s play activities.
As well as promoting its own arts programme Birnam Arts hires the facilities, including meeting rooms and the main hall for use by many community groups and functions. Space in the Institute is also let to Perth & Kinross Council for provision of the local Library service and also for a local office for Community Education.
Our current staffing structure consists of a full time General Manager, a Deputy General Manager, Arts Development Manager, Part-time Shop Manager, General Assistant/Technician and a Catering Manager who has responsibility for 2 part-time cooks and a number of Catering Assistants. The shop is presently run and staffed by volunteers.
Birnam Arts has grown substantially following its redevelopment and now turns over in excess of £500,000 per year.
The Arts Programme has developed to provide an exciting alternative venue to the more traditional theatres in the area and is now featuring regularly in the programme of touring drama companies and musicians.
Birnam Arts is a Scottish Guarantee Company (Company No. SC402171)
Recognised as a Scottish Charity under Charity No. SC024975
Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, Perthshire PH8 0DS
Tel: 01350 727674