We are looking for new Board member (including a chair) who are passionate about sustainability, champions of our local communities & interested in how arts & culture can benefit people’s lives. We are keen to encourage applications from people involved in sustainable businesses in the Tees Valley.
Job Description
Being a Board member with Festival of Thrift is a great way of using your energy, skills and experience to support your local community, the arts and the environment. You don't need to have any specific qualifications to join a board, just a willingness to listen, support and challenge the organisation in a positive way. It can also help enhance your own skills, seeing how an organisation works from the inside and adding to your CV. You do not need previous director experience. We value your perspective and we'll support you to learn the rest. We are keen to encourage applications covering a range of skills but are particularly interested in people with knowledge and experience in the following areas: - Connection to the local community, its strengths and challenges - Fundraising and commercial income generation - Tees Valley business networks - Leadership in arts & cultural organisations (National Portfolio) - Environmental promotion, activities and campaigning - Financial management - Marketing and communications, including PR Board positions are voluntary (unpaid) although travel expenses and any access provision required can be covered. We particularly welcome candidates for this role from people who are currently underrepresented within the UK arts sector including those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, people from the Global Majority, people who are disabled and neurodivergent. We are especially keen to encourage applications from people involved in sustainable businesses in the Tees Valley area and from young people (aged 18+), to bring a fresh perspective into the organisation. Key dates Informal information session - 6pm - 6.45pm on Monday 16 March (over Zoom) Application Deadline - 9am on Monday 13 April 2026 To find out more (including how to apply), please visit our website.
Job Requirements
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Directors and to act in the best interests of the organisation. - Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a Board member. - Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion. - A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. - Enthusiasm for our vision and mission. - Willingness to lead according to our values and our commitment to sustainability. - Commitment to Nolan's seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Job Responsibilities
This is what you can expect if you join the Board at FoT: - To attend formal Board meetings four times a year, including reading papers in advance. These meetings usually happen online, via Zoom. - To take part in one or two strategic discussion sessions per year, outside of formal Board meetings. These may be in person or online. - To visit Festival of Thrift and/or its year-round programme as a customer, experiencing the events and activities. This year's festival takes place in Kirkleatham, near Redcar, on 4th & 5th July. The festival is free to attend, and we can offer a limited number of complimentary tickets for other events. - An induction process and training for Board members. - Board membership is a voluntary position, but members can claim travel expenses to attend in person events. We aim to meet everyone's access requirements. Support to attend meetings and act as a Board member can be provided.
To apply, please email us a letter (no more than two A4 pages) and CV or a short video (no longer than 5 minutes) telling us:
- which role you are applying for (Director or Chair, or if you wish to be considered for both roles)
- why you are interested in being part of our mission
- what qualities you would bring to Festival of Thrift
- what you would like to gain from this experience
The qualities should respond to the personal skills and qualities in the role description. Remember to include any work experience or other activities such as volunteering, fundraising, community action, caring etc. that help meet these skills and qualities.
Please send your application to [email protected] by 9am on Monday 13 April, with the subject header ‘Director application’.
Please also complete our equality monitoring form - (NB: this information is kept anonymously and will not be used to assess the application) and send it to Andrea Smart on [email protected].
Festival of Thrift champions creativity, community and coming together to inspire positive action. Rooted in the Tees Valley, we celebrate the region’s rich heritage while reimagining its future as a hub for thrifty and resourceful living. Working together with communities, artists and partners, we thrive to empower people to explore imaginative ways to live well while treading lightly on the planet.
