Liverpool Arab Arts Festival Seeks New Board Members

Founded in 1998, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival is a registered charity delivering arts and community programmes that bring diverse cultures together, increasing appreciation and awareness of Arab culture and arts at a local, national and international level.

A year-round programme of events and community projects is built around the focal point for the year – LAAF’s annual summer festival, which is the UK’s longest running and biggest annual celebration of Arab arts and culture. Now in its 16^th year, the festival brings a series of around 35 events to multiple venues, over a packed 10 day period, including over 140 UK and international artists and performers.

LAAF started as a weekender event bringing Arab artists to Liverpool (mainly to Bluecoat, in Liverpool city centre) for a couple of days, and it has now grown to become a major festival event in Liverpool and the UK. The events are spread around the city and it is attracting artists and audience from around the world. LAAF has reached millions of people around the World through the interest of the major media channels, radios, and newspapers.

Responding to demand, LAAF has developed a year round presence, programming out of festival events and delivering cultural arts programmes increasing participation of those least engaged with Arts. The charity has recently secured several additional projects to its core annual festival and it is looking for forward thinking board members to drive our next stage of development.

LAAF is specifically looking for three additional board members:

1. Artistic advisor
2. Fundraiser,
3. Treasurer

These three trustees will work with the rest of the board, and executive team, to set vision and strategy for the charity. They will provide governance oversight of the strategy, ensuring the charity’s resources are expended in an inclusive, efficient manner in furtherance of the charity’s aims and objectives.

Artistic advisor

The trustee responsible for artistic and cultural matters will lead on:

• Liaise closely with the PR and marketing officer and the Head of Team about previous programme and contribute to strategic development of the future artitsic programme
• Review some electronic artistic programmes such as dance, songs, films, and other performances
• Support development of LAAF’s Creative Case for Diversity.
• Liaise with marketing to support the development of new audiences
• Recommend board members and the Head of Team of any potential artists and events of good quality and in demand by LAAF’s audience for the next festival

Treasurer

The treasurer usually takes the lead at board level on:

• Making sure the charity keeps proper accounts
• Reviewing the charity’s financial performance
• Advise LAAF on legal/mandatory requirements and informing change as required.
• Drawing up or reviewing policies for finance and investment
• Ensuring that the charity has robust and effective financial controls in place
• Liaising with finance staff and with the charity’s independent auditor
• Reporting on financial matters to the board members

Fundraising & sponsorship

The trustee responsible for fund raising and sponsorship will lead on:

• Liaise closely with the treasurer and the Head of Team about funding and sponsorship annual target
• Guide LAAF on maximizing diverse income streams.
• Draw expertise from similar charity organisations about their funding and sponsorship target
• Liaise with marketing about reaching to new potential funders and sponsors
• Advise board members and the Head of Team of any potential risks for accepting funding with conditions counter to LAAF’s constitutional objectives

LAAF is seeking people who are:

• Committed to the values of the charity
• Fair but tactful communicators
• Confident to set and achieve high level goals
• Able to exercise fairness and good judgement
• With a mix of skills and experience to complement the current board members

Board members are unremunerated, although out of pocket expenses will be paid by the charity. LAAF also invests in the personal development of board members ensuring their skills base increases according to the changing demands of the role. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references.

LAAF welcomes diversity and hopes to get applications from all sections of the community.

Closing date: Friday 28 July 2017

Shortlisting: August 2017. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to one of LAAF board meetings

Interviews: Mid-September 2017

Download the application form here

Phone 0151 702 7766 and ask for Taher or Mustapha, Chair and Vice Chair, if you would like an informal conversation about the opportunity.