To celebrate Trustees Week this week, we want to let you know a bit more about our Trainee Trustee Scheme, which is open for applications until 5th December.
Spitalfields Music is a learning organisation, with a strong commitment to creating opportunities for people otherwise under-represented in the music sector. This extends into governance, where we want to offer up to five opportunities to shadow our board of trustees over the coming year, so that Spitalfields Music and the wider arts sector can benefit from more diverse perspectives and experiences.
We’re coming up to the third year of running the scheme. Each year’s cohort learn how the board engages with an organisation, and get the chance to experience board governance first hand.
Two of the previous year’s cohort, Kenon Man, and Holly Holt have gone on to join boards in the past two years, with Holly joining us this year as a member of the Spitalfields Music board.
The programme encompasses four elements:
- A paid-for place on an online ‘essentials of trusteeship’ course
- Observer status at the four Spitalfields Music board meetings held between January & December 2024
- A board ‘buddy’ in the form of an existing trustee, to help explain and navigate the responsibilities of directors of the charity
- Pre- and post-board meetings (online) with Spitalfields Music senior leaders so that those on the programme understand fully the agenda, papers and implications and impact of decisions made by trustees.
Click here to read the full information pack on the programme.
“It was one of the only schemes that I came across that supports the development of trustees in the arts sector and is led by the needs of the participants. It is a shining example of how small organisations can play a part in creating wider sector change and I hope it continues to develop for many years to come!”
Applications for the Trainee Trustee Scheme close on 6th December. For information on how to apply please see our vacancies page.