TRUSTEE INFORMATION PACK

Dear Applicant

Thank you for considering your application as an Impact Arts Trustee. I hope you find the following informative and helpful.

About Us

Established in 1994, Impact Arts is a forward-thinking community arts organisation which uses the arts and creativity to enable and empower social change. Impact Arts is a Scottish Charity limited by guarantee.

Our Mission

To help people and communities transform their lives through creativity and the arts.

Our Ambition

To be recognised as Scotland’s leading community arts charity.

Our Values

We consider the arts as a positive tool for change – helping people to:

  • Build confidence and attain new skills
  • Get back into work or education
  • Source work in the creative arts
  • Enjoy better health or simply improve quality of life

From dance to digital, our door is always open.

What We Do

We have 4 audience areas: early years, communities, young and older people. Each year we work with over 6500 people, actively engaging in creative activity through projects, events and exhibitions.

We have over 30 staff and 100 freelance artists working on services across Central Scotland with our Head Office in Glasgow. Our leadership team has, on average, 10 years with the organisation.

We work with multiple partners and funders all with a strong ethos #artchangeslives. We are supported by Inspiring Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Lottery funds, Lloyds TSB Foundation PDI, Scottish Government People and Communities, foundations and trusts and individual commissions.

Our Impact

What we’ve helped people achieve in 2015/16:

  • Our qualified staff and artists have worked with over 400 children in arts and creativity
  • We’ve supported over 200 older people unleash their creativity
  • Over 280 young people achieved a formal accreditation as a result of their progress in our programmes
  • Nearly 500 young people engaged in skills development and getting ready for employment

In 2013 we were Highly Commended by a Craft Skills Award and in 2015 we were announced as Training Provider of the Year at the Creative & Cultural Skills Awards. We were nominated in 2015 by the Herald Society Awards (the Young Gallery) and SURF Awards (Creative Pathways). Recognition of our work can be found at Detailsof our annual report and accounts can be found at

General Statement: Being a Trustee

The responsibility of a Trustee is to direct the affairs of Impact Arts through efficient, effective and accountable governance ensuring that the organisation is solvent, professionally-run and that it acts in accordance with its aims and objectives.

Trustees are responsible and accountable for the overall strategic leadership and direction of Impact Acts, safeguarding the assets, reputation and ethos of the organisation and promoting its work. Trustees are expected to uphold our core values.

Duties as a Trustee

As a responsible charity, we take best guidance in upholding our duties and responsibilities as Trustees. The following link provides a full overview

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has produced ‘Guidance for Charity Trustees’. The document sets out in detail the duties and responsibilities of charity trustees in Scotland. Guidance for Charity Trustees

Trustee Recruitment

We are seeking to recruit new Trustees to help us achieve our ambitious strategic priorities. We are looking to make 2-4 new appointments that will strengthen and complement the skills and experience that we currently have on our Trustee Board and help us to progress our work to make a lasting impact on people’s lives in Scotland.

Thank you for your interest.

Tony McElroy, Chair

Person Specification

Our Trustees will uphold and represent our purpose, vision, values and mission in a personal and professional capacity and will come from a range of backgrounds and relevant experience.

The maximum number of Trustees is 11 and Trustees are able to serve for a maximum of 6 years. We are looking to recruit 2-4 Trustees with established and active professional and influential networks to further enhance the current Trustee Board. We are particularly interested in applications from the following areas:-

  • Professional qualification or equivalent experience or expertise in any of the following:
  • Arts, heritage or related environments
  • Finance or Accountancy
  • Public policy
  • Employment and/or employability

All Trustees must have or be prepared to gain an understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities inherent in the role and be eligible to act as a Company Director and Charity Trustee. Profiles of our existing Board Trustees can be found at The Board works closely with our Leadership Team

In terms of time commitment, on average, a board member would be expected to undertake the following:-

  • 5 x Trustee Board meetings held per annum (generally held in Glasgow or Edinburgh, commencing 5.30pm for approximately 2.5 hours duration)
  • 1 x Trustee Board full day strategy session
  • 1 x Annual General Meeting
  • 1 x annual meeting with Chair
  • There is an expectation that Trustees will take Board ownership of one strategic theme, acting as a “sponsor” for the Board, staff and customers.
  • Engagement with our exhibitions and events which run throughout the year.

Whilst the role is unpaid, reasonable expenses are payable in line with our standard expenses policy.

How to Apply

We hope that you have found the Trustee Pack informative and useful. To apply, please complete your application (CV and one page supporting letter) and voluntary EO Form and submit to

Within the supporting statement section of your application (one page maximum), you should provide clear evidence of how you meet the requirements within the Role Profile. Please also outline your motivation and aspirations for the role in your supporting statement.

Data Protection Act 1998

Trustees should be aware that we are required to share your personal information (if appointed to the Board) in the following ways:

  • As a Company Limited by Guarantee, we must register Trustees as directors with Companies House
  • As required information to support grant and tender submissions
  • With banking institutions and insurance companies (specifically in relation to the professional indemnity insurance cover)

Recruitment Timetable

We have provided below a note of all the critical dates within this recruitment campaign which we hope will help you plan your diary:

Closing date for applications / Friday, noon, 29th July 2016
Candidates will be advised of their application outcome / Friday, 5th August 2016
Interviews with our Selection Panel / w/c 8thAugust 2016
Recommendation to Appoint to the Board / 22nd August 2016
Candidates will be advised on appointment process / By 26th August 2016
Board Induction Process begins include Disclosure Scotland check / w/c 29th August 2016

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