Introduction
Art in Healthcare’s mission is to provide engaging and impactful creative opportunities to support and improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of individuals in Scotland. Many of these activities take place in community, health and social care settings.
We know that art can help people to feel better and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience art. As inequalities in society and within access to healthcare grow, Art in Healthcare is providing services that are needed more than ever, and demand for our services is high.
Creativity is not just nice to have, but central to supporting people to live well, and in the creation of healthier, happier and economically flourishing communities.
We share our art collection and art workshops with individuals and communities that are under-served by mainstream arts provision. We work across Scotland, identifying and mitigating barriers to participation. We place our large art collection in non-gallery spaces like hospital and GP surgeries and take art workshops to people in their communities, both in person and online. This approach allows us to work with individuals and communities who would otherwise not be engaging with art, artists or creative activities. All workshops are free at the point of delivery.
As we look to the future, we will continue to develop, responding to the changing context in which we operate. Our focus will be upon maintaining and growing our current programme, enabling us to maximise our impact. We will further develop our role as a sector leader and influencer, by sharing our learning, expertise and advocating for policy change for the benefits of individuals living across Scotland.
Our Organisational Values
Our three organisational values guide our decision making and inform our behaviour. They are:
- Care – We care for people, our art collection and our environment.
- Communities – We work collaboratively to make connections between people and art and to encourage health and social equality.
- Creativity – We believe the arts have a positive effect on health and wellbeing and should be available to everyone.
Our Organisational Aims
Our Strategic Plan, 2024 – 2028 sets out in detail our six aims:
- Use Art and Creativity to help People Feel Better
- Increase Access to Art and to our Services
- Widen our Partnerships to Unlock Potential
- Be the Best, Most Inclusive Employer We Can
- Challenge Ourselves on our Environmental Responsibilities
- To be Financially Secure and Fully Resourced
The Opportunity
Art in Healthcare is registered in Scotland as a company limited by guarantee (SC278142) and as a charity (SC036222). To enable the organisation to meet its aims, trustees contribute towards:
- Establishing and maintaining the vision, mission, goals and values
- Developing the strategic framework and direction
- Ensuring the charity has the resources to deliver its ambitions
- Managing risk and ensuring compliance with the governing document, external regulators and the law
- Ensuring organisation finances are well managed
- Establishing appropriate systems for reporting and monitoring
We currently have two vacancies on our Board of Directors and would like to use this opportunity to broaden the range of experiences, perspectives and skills that inform our governance. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.
We are looking for individuals who are interested in the work of Art in Healthcare, align with our values and want to help us to achieve our aims. It is important to us that Directors can act as ambassadors for the charity. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience and knowledge of charity fundraising and income generation.
We do not require you to have former experience of serving on a Board and can offer a full induction and on-going support and training, as required.
The Board of Directors typically meets four times per annum, usually in central Edinburgh. We also host at least one away day for trustees and staff and encourage trustees to become involved in a sub-group such as Art Collection, Finance or Policy. We can support remote, online participation. We encourage trustees to attend openings and events.
Please note that this is a voluntary role. Trustees do not receive any remuneration, but we can cover out of pocket expenses such as travel and childcare.
The Process:
If you would like to find out more about the role before applying, we can arrange a call with Hilary Burwell, Chair of Art in Healthcare. To set up an initial call please email:
vanessa@artinhealthcare.org.uk
To apply please send a side of A4, short video or voice recording explaining [1] why this opportunity interests you, [2] what you could bring to the role including details of any relevant qualifications or work/voluntary/lived experience, and [3] what you would hope to gain from it to: recruitment@artinhealthcare.org.uk
If you would prefer to send a paper application, please use the address detailed below and mark for the attention of Vanessa Paynton.
Please remember to include your contact details, allowing us to get back to you. You are welcome to also submit a CV, but this isn’t a requirement.
We have set a closing date for noon on Friday 18 October 2024 and will be back in touch during the week beginning 28 October 2024.
Art in Healthcare, 18 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP
www.artinhealthcare.org.uk
Image: Our Stories of the Collection Exhibition Opening featuring two of our Trustees in the foreground.
26 September 2024 by
Amy Miles