About the organisation
Théâtre Sans Frontières (TSF) is a small scale theatre company based in Hexham, Northumberland. Our charitable objects are the promotion, maintenance, improvement and advancement of the education of the public in the understanding, practice and appreciation of the arts. TSF’s mission is to create an international theatre of excellence that celebrates world languages and cultures and to achieve this we:
· create and tour plays that reflect the richness and diversity of world cultures
· break the barriers of language through a style of theatre that is physical, visual and accessible to all
· collaborate with artists and organisations from the UK and around the world to explore cultural difference and celebrate cultural exchange
· seek to provide cultural and educational opportunities for a wide range of beneficiaries, from young school children to older adults.
See also the section, ‘What’s in it for you?’
Since 1991, the company has mounted over 40 productions in English, French, German and Spanish and toured all over the UK and abroad. We have a long history of creating imaginative, innovating and engaging visual theatre that tours to schools, arts centres and community venues. We often give experiences of live theatre and contact with professional artists to people who have little access to the arts.
As well as performance work, we lead drama-focused workshops and activities. We have seen first-hand how taking part in drama not only delights and fulfils, but also increases confidence and self-esteem, sharpens memory and expands imagination. We aim to improve people’s lives through access to high quality creative experiences, particularly in rural communities and/or areas of deprivation, offering opportunities for a broad range of people to actively explore their own creativity. We break down the social, rural and financial barriers to experiencing the arts.
TSF is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee with an active Board of Trustees. Day-to-day activities are led by two artistic directors - John Cobb and Sarah Kemp. Both have a long history of working in professional and community theatre-making and Sarah has recently completed a PhD at Northumbria University on the impact of theatre-making with older people on their creativity, health, and wellbeing.
We do not currently employ any staff. The artistic directors, bookkeeper and financial administrator all work on a freelance basis. TSF is scaling back its activity to focus on locally based work, primarily in Northumberland. This is an exciting time of change for the charity.
About the role
We wish to recruit a Treasurer/Trustee to help the Board oversee the financial affairs of our charitable company in line with current best practice and provide financial advice to the Board, artistic directors and financial administrator. A number of our current trustees have experience of working within the arts and cultural sectors as senior managers but when our current financial expert resigns at the end of this calendar year, after ten years in the role, no trustee will hold formal financial qualifications.
Time commitment per annum:
· two evening Board meetings of approximately two hours, in Hexham
· to chair up to four Finance sub-committee meetings by Zoom
· to present the Annual Accounts at the AGM, which usually follows on from a Board meeting, drawing attention to salient points.
· preparation time for these meetings
The Finance Committee reports to the Board and is able to spend time discussing details of budgets, management accounts and the financial implications of project proposals, so that full Board meetings can have a broader remit on the artistic and business strategy and performance of the company. One of the meetings of the Finance Committee is dedicated to the process of revising the draft annual report and accounts, prepared by the company’s accountants.
Specific duties of the Treasurer (note that no hands-on bookkeeping or accounts preparation is required):
· to chair the Finance Committee
· to provide financial acumen to the Board and in particular to the Finance Committee
· to advise the Board on the annual budget and on performance relative to budget, as shown in management accounts prepared by the financial administrator
· to advise the Board on the financial risks associated with project proposals from the artistic directors - projects that would involve a disproportionate drawdown of unrestricted reserves will not be authorised by the Board
· Annual Accounts – to advise on preparation to ensure they are disclosed in the form required by funders, the Registrar of Companies and the Charity Commission
· to advise on scrutiny (independent examination or audit) and support the implementation of any recommendations
The Treasurer usually writes the Financial Review for the Trustees’ Annual Report and advises on the Reserves Policy and going concern note. He or she will play a crucial role in contributing financial acumen to strategic decisions about the future, at this time of change for the charity.
Our ideal candidate
Essential skills/experience
· Financial qualifications from a recognised institution
· Understanding of the Charities SORP (FRS 102)
· Skills to analyse proposals, examine their financial consequences and make recommendations to the Board
· Good, independent judgement and willingness to speak his/her mind
· Ability to explain complex financial information in an accessible way
· Strategic vision
Desirable
· Experience of the legal requirements for charity accounts
· Previous experience as a charity trustee
· Willingness to contribute to decisions about the future of the charity
· Regular enjoyment of theatre and the arts is not essential although we hope that the Treasurer will attend the company’s productions, support the work of the company and advocate for it wherever possible and appropriate.
· Knowledge of the arts sector is not necessary.
What’s in it for you
You will have an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of many people, young and old. We have found that interaction with professional artists can have a profound and often life-changing impact, particularly on those who have little access to the arts, for whatever reason. Our work is led by highly skilled practitioners, who enable participants to collaborate with one another, learn new skills and develop their creativity and self-confidence. By helping to ensure the financial stability and compliance of our charity, you will put your expertise to good use and make an invaluable contribution to the welfare of our beneficiaries.
Here are some examples:
School shows
TSF brings its productions and participatory activities to over 2,500 children per year, many of them attending schools that are rurally isolated or in disadvantaged urban areas. A typical teacher comment is:
“It opened their eyes to theatre in general; it was clear from discussions beforehand that some pupils were not used to experiences like this.”
The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education concluded:
“The evidence shows that creativity confers personal, economic and social advantage. As a matter of social justice and national interest it should be available to all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those at risk of being culturally marginalised.”
Participatory sessions with older people
Through her PhD research, Sarah Kemp identified that many older people would like to improve their mobility but do not want / are not able, to go to a gym or take up other vigorous pursuits. Theatre-making, including gentle movement exercises, encourages people to explore using their bodies in new and different ways that are also fun and stimulating. Older people can expand their range of movement, improve their physical flexibility, balance and spatial awareness. This can be particularly beneficial in falls prevention. Drama games and improvisation also stimulate mental cognition and build group trust and cohesion, providing opportunities for socialising and combating experiences of loneliness and isolation.
“From the first session, I absolutely loved it, receive so much benefit from it and Wednesday morning is the highlight of my week. This course is so well structured and run and covers many of the issues and concerns in physical and mental wellbeing. I would recommend that all health professionals are made aware of these courses with a view to patient recommendation as the short and long term benefits are immense.”
Why not spare a few hours to support this work? You will join us at an interesting time when we are restructuring our services and you will be able to take a lead in shaping the future of this small charity.
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