Crying Out Loud (COL) is looking for two new Board members, to enhance its governance and increase its knowledge of the arts and wider culture of Portsmouth, the Solent area and the Southwest more generally.
About us
Founded in 2002, by Rachel Clare, COL has nurtured both creative projects and individuals and has blazed a trail in new ways of thinking about contemporary performance for the last 20 years. This work has evolved yet has always maintained a powerful aesthetic of the unusual, the visual and often the gravity defying. In the last five years, COL’s work has focused on supporting and nurturing artists, programming events in venues and site-specific locations across the UK and initiating and realising international collaborations and opportunities.
In 2023 COL relocated its main base to Portsmouth, and commenced a long-term partnership with the brand-new company, Third Version Creative, formed by UK based Producer Sud Basu. In April 2023 we started an ambitious three-year programme, focusing on strengthening community connections and shared cultural understanding through creativity. This will include presenting and producing ground-breaking work by UK and global artists; supporting creative exchange; and the touring of new work in the UK. Our role in the Solent area will be a critical part of these plans, and where we will provide dedicated support for local and regional artists and creatives to develop their practice and work.
At its core, COL is a small and tight team. Rachel Clare is our Artistic Director and Sarah Macnee is Executive Director, leading operationally. Lucy Babb is our Solent based Programme Producer and Minnie Boardman our Administrator.
COL aims to work with its Board through harnessing individual skills and expertise, just like in COL’s approach to artists. The Board supports COL in anticipating risks and challenges when it starts new processes, activities, things that COL has not done before or plans to do differently.
We aim not to overload our Board meetings, but to focus on what benefits from discussion to deliver the best that we can. We believe that working together should be creative and enjoyable!
A description of what we are seeking
Our current Board comprises:
– Cat Harrison, Chair: Artist and Senior Producer at ArtsAdmin
– Billy Ridgers: Retired educational film maker
– Mark Kowalik: Pensions Lawyer
– Michael Brinton: Investment Banker and amateur circus artist
– Tracey Low: Senior Producer at National Theatre
– Marta Sala Font: Head of Creative at UNICEF UK
– Sue Daniels: Marketing Consultant
– Hai Ly Nguyen: Management Consultant
We are seeking further Board members that augment the current Board’s expertise. We particularly seek applicants that can:
– Increase the Board’s knowledge of artists, arts organisations and arts funders in Portsmouth, the Solent area and the Southwest more generally
– Increase the Board’s knowledge of local communities, business networks and the local economy of the Solent area
– Increase the Board’s knowledge of management and leadership of mid-scale regional theatres and/or festivals in the Southwest
– Increase the range of expertise and experiences of people on Boards of arts organisations – we particularly welcome applications from individuals who have not previously been on an arts Board
– Contribute to the organisation’s advocacy and commitment to international exchange, environmental sustainability, inclusion and representation
We seek Board Members with a diverse range of skills, attributes and experience in such areas as:
– Professional experience in a useful and related area to COL’s work, alongside an interest in applying this expertise to enhance the governance of COL’s Board
– Interest in performing arts, and curiosity about the kind of producing work that COL undertakes
– Ability to work effectively as part of a team and build positive working relationships
– Excitement about the challenge of guiding COL’s direction in a complex arts environment
– Commitment and dedication to carrying out the Board duties
– Willingness to commit the necessary time to fulfil this role
– Ability to treat sensitive information confidentially
– A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
– A strong commitment to sustainability and understanding of the climate change agenda
Practical information
Location of Board meetings: An area to be discussed and agreed by the board following recruitment – may be a mixture of online meetings alongside one annual in person meeting in Portsmouth and one in London.
Time commitment of Board members: Four meetings a year plus attending shows and, where applicable, being involved in subcommittee meetings and discussions outside the Board meetings. Occasional Board away days or half days (no more than one day a year) for longer term planning and/or training.
Expenses: All Board positions are voluntary and unpaid. We can cover reasonable expenses to allow Board Members to attend meetings.
How to apply: If you are interested, please send a letter of no more than one side of A4 (or a voice recording, maximum two minutes*) outlining what you could bring to the organisation, plus a CV (written or recorded) to projects@cryingoutloud.org. You are welcome to contact Rachel Clare (rachel@cryingoutloud.org) or Sarah Macnee (sarah@cryingoutloud.org) to arrange a meeting or telephone conversation to discuss the role and the organisation further before applying.
Deadline for submissions: Preferably before 18 September 2023, and earlier submissions will be welcomed. Candidates will then be invited to have an informal conversation with Rachel and Sarah.
