Board Recruitment 2019

OPPORTUNITY: Board of Trustees - Lancaster Jazz Festival

Lancaster Jazz Festival is a five day, annual festival taking place in Lancaster City Centre. With artists at the heart of our activity, we present cutting edge jazz music from local, national and international artists. New commissions and artist development are at the core of our programme.

We are looking to recruit new members for our Board of Trustees who can be proactive in the development of the festival, share our passion for supporting artists and bring a strategic eye for the future.

With the festival heading into its 10th anniversary year in 2020, this is an exciting and pivotal time in our development and that of the Lancaster and Morecambe region. The festival has grown immensely in the last three years, establishing itself firmly on the national jazz landscape. Having received funding from Help Musicians UK to expand the artist development strand of work, and partnering with Jazz North to deliver their prestigious ‘northern line’ Showcase Day at this year’s festival, partnerships are key to this growth.

Looking ahead we want to work strategically to grow these key partnerships, develop our income streams and build a sustainable long term vision for the festival that reflects our creativity, ambition and keeps the artists at the heart of what we do.

We have a strong board consisting of five members, made up of knowledge in Business, Finance, Education, Fundraising and Music. We welcome applications from people with skills in all areas, but in particular –

Legal
Strategic – Funded, Arts Sector, Arts Council England and Nation Funders
Organisational Development – Strategy, HR, Policies and Procedures
Marketing and Communications

For more information on what is involved in being a trustee for Lancaster Jazz Festival and details of how to apply, please see the following pages.

Vision and History

VISION – 'with and for artists'

Lancaster Jazz Festival will become one of the most pioneering festivals in the UK. With a firm rooting in artist development we work for:

artists who are inspired by, and astonish audiences alike
events which enthral in the moment, but are truly defined by their legacy
a company which both fosters, and is the catalyst for original, excellent art from new, excellent artists, whatever their background

We believe that to create cutting-edge performances and innovative works of art takes time, investment, and patience from a team which respects and actively develops artists. We believe that if you focus first on artistic experience and artist development exceptional art can be created. We believe that high quality, enthralling events can ignite and inspire long-term development for all those involved, in whatever way. We believe that audiences can be as inspirational as the artists.

HISTORY

1998 – 2008 - Lancaster Jazz Festival as organised by Lancaster City Council.

2009 – 2010 - Not-the-Lancaster Jazz Festival (Not-by-Lancaster-City-Council). A non-funded, mini protest festival inspired by the axing of the Jazz Festival (and other festivals) by the local council.

2011 - The first Lancaster Jazz Festival.

2012 - Company constituted with first board.

2014 - Year 4 with our first outdoor stage, an established Festival Team, 3000+ audience and Arts Council Funding. All artists paid at a flat rate of pay. Our first commission - the 2014 Youth Jazz Commission.

2016 - Our first Business Plan comes into effect. Our first headline commission - Cath Roberts Favourite Animals.

2017 - Start of our HMUK Open Programme. A completely tailored, bespoke artist development programme for all artists performing at the festival.

2018 - Year 8 with multiple venues and stages, counter-programming across the festival, 6000+ audience, wide ranging funding support, eight person festival team with established organisational structure. Introduction of festival bar at our most popular venue Sun Square. A spectacular headline commission from Skeltr, receiving rave reviews from partners and funders.

Role and Responsibilities

Lancaster Jazz Festival is a Company Limited by Guarantee. We are in the process of completing an application for charitable status which should be achieved by the time the new board members commence. If successful, non-executive directors would also become trustees of the charity by law and therefore hold additional responsibilities.

The role of a trustee includes having oversight of the organisation’s activity including; ensuring its legal compliance, for it to be an example of good practice and to maintain and promote the vision and ambition of Lancaster Jazz Festival.

Key responsibilities of a trustee are : –

to ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
to ensure that the organisation pursues its purpose and vision unfalteringly
to contribute opinion and experience to inform strategic vision of the organisation; setting targets and evaluating activity against the business plan
proactively provide support, guidance and oversight in the activities of the organisation; setting policies and evaluating activity
to act as an advocate for the organisation, helping to identify, develop and maintain relationships with new and existing partners

to contribute opinions, assist the board in decision making and support the outcome of those decisions; ensuring confidentiality at all times
to commit time to the role of trustee, in attending and preparing for company meetings, reading papers and documents, attending additional events etc. It is expected a trustee will be able to join a minimum of 3 meetings a year.
to maintain an active knowledge of the Jazz and wider cultural sector in which the organisation operates

Skills, Attributes and Experience

At present our board consists of five members who are committed and passionate about Lancaster Jazz Festival. The board meets a minimum of five times a year and we encourage trustees to attend in person, however we are flexible where possible to individual needs and can arrange Skype/conference call where attendance in person is not possible.

We would like Trustees to offer the following criteria:

understanding of the charitable, funded or not for profit sector
a collaborative and open approach to leadership
strong communication skills, and willing to work as part of a team

attention to details and thorough approach to their role, including scrutiny of board papers, documents and accounts
a knowledge of the local area and to be well connected regionally, nationally or internationally
passion for the jazz sector and the artists who we work with
strategically minded, able to think ahead and argue their case in a decisive manor
an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship including those specific to the role of charity trustee.

a understanding of the working structure of the organisation, and ability to discern between board and team responsibility

Trustees should have the following personal attributes:

must be eligible to act as a charity trustee

a commitment to the mission, values and ambition of Lancaster Jazz Festival
independence of judgement
must be diplomatic, use care in communicating with others and be tactful in handling difficult or challenging situations.

If You're Interested

We invite anyone considering applying for the role of trustee to join us at the festival from 11th – 15th September in Lancaster

If you would like to discuss the possibility of being a trustee, please feel free to contact us via the following channels

Lucy Woolley, Festival Manager - lucy@lancasterjazz.com / 07816 327503

Paula Williams, Chair of Board - paula.williams.2410@gmail.com/ 07788 974691