Could you support the leadership of our organisation?
South Square Centre is currently recruiting new trustees and a Chair for our Board.
South Square Centre is an arts, heritage and community organisation based in a Grade II listed building in the heart of Thornton Village, Bradford. South Square is home to 12 artist studio spaces, 3 galleries, café, bar, local history archive, framers, and community spaces. South Square is a grass-roots arts and community centre which has a high quality and ambitious arts and live events programme. We have a commitment to supporting emerging artists and curators through skills development and paid traineeships.
The organisation has been through transformational capital and organisational development (2020-2022); securing a 99-year Community Asset Transfer from Bradford Council, undergoing a full capital refurbishment, and raising £1.3m investment from National Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Bradford Council alongside other trusts and foundations.
South Square is a small organisation with big ambitions. Our team of 4 part-time staff coordinate the centre’s activities which include exhibitions and workshop programme, outreach programme and day-to-day building management. The centre attracts over 21,000 visitors annually.
South Square is now in a strong position and excited to look to the future and be part of Bradford City of Culture in 2025. If you are interested in refining the organisations strategy and helping the centre to grow and have the most impact for the community and regionally.
We would be particularly interested in hearing from individuals in Bradford or West Yorkshire who are/have;
- Those actively working in the Arts / Heritage sector
- Experience in property development
- Experience in the legal sector
- HR, people or governance
- Experience in fundraising
- Financial Management or Business planning
However, if you possess other skills which you think would be beneficial, then please contact us, so we can discuss this. We would like to attract applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including those who may not have been a trustee before.
We hold board meetings every 6-8 weeks in person at South Square (BD13). We are looking for people who are interested in becoming active trustees, who can advocate for the organisation, attend South Square events, and are committed to taking on the responsibilities of becoming a charity trustee. We would like to offer new trustees training to support them in their role at the organisation.
About South Square Centre
South Square Centre is a collection of 19th Century Grade II workers cottages in the heart of Thornton village. Renovated as a community arts and heritage centre in 1982, South Square Centre is now home to eleven studio spaces for a variety of artists, an art gallery, community spaces, archive, fine art framers, bar and cafe.
South Square Gallery plays an important part in the cultural life of Thornton by providing community exhibitions, events, and workshops alongside a contemporary arts programme of free and low-cost activities. South Square has run a long-standing paid trainee programme in which 100% of previous trainees have gone onto full-time employment in the arts or related sectors. South Square champions an ambitious and high -quality visual arts programme, alongside vital outreach work and is a generous community partner.
Expressions of Interest
We are looking for expressions of interest for the role of Chair. Although if you feel that you are more suited to a trustee position, please do contact us. Individuals will be invited for an informal conversation with our Director. To express your interest in taking on the position of chair please send a CV a to a.withers@southsquarecentre.co.uk
