Chair of Trustees, Activate

Purpose

The Chair of Trustees at Activate Performing Arts will provide thoughtful, inclusive leadership to the Board and support the Artistic & Executive Director as the organization shapes a new 3–5-year strategy and prepares for its next Arts Council England National Portfolio application.

About the Role

Activate Performing Arts is a 35-year-old arts charity that brings contemporary performance to communities and landscapes across Dorset, the UK, and Europe. It is known for its free-to-access outdoor arts, festivals, and touring work, driven by a belief in creativity as a public good, connecting people, place, and artistic expression. With a strong commitment to access, equity, environmental responsibility, and artistic ambition, Activate is entering an important period of evolution.

Responsibilities

• Provide thoughtful, inclusive leadership to the Board and support the Artistic & Executive Director
• Guide strategic discussions and support good governance
• Encourage meaningful contribution from trustees and act as an ambassador for Activate
• Champion the organization's work and support Activate to enhance its visibility, partnerships, and long-term sustainability

Requirements

• Prior experience as a trustee, with a strong understanding of good governance and effective Boards
• Strong alignment with Activate’s values around free and low-cost access, equity, diversity and inclusion, landscape and nature, and environmental responsibility
• A strategic outlook and the ability to support values-led organizational development, growth, and innovation
• A fundraising mindset and an understanding of the wider funding landscape
• A passion for the arts, ideally the performing arts, festivals, outdoor arts, landscape-based practice, or nature-based creativity

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• Prior experience as a trustee, with a strong understanding of good governance and effective Boards
• Strong alignment with Activate’s values around free and low-cost access, equity, diversity and inclusion, landscape and nature, and environmental responsibility
• A strategic outlook and the ability to support values-led organizational development, growth, and innovation
• A fundraising mindset and an understanding of the wider funding landscape
• A passion for the arts, ideally the performing arts, festivals, outdoor arts, landscape-based practice, or nature-based creativity

Skills

As Chair, you will play a key role in guiding strategic discussion, supporting good governance, encouraging meaningful contribution from trustees, and acting as an ambassador for Activate. You will champion the organization’s work and support Activate to enhance its visibility, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.

Benefits

Term: 3-year term, renewable
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses reimbursed
Location: Hybrid, with some travel to Dorset for key meetings and events

Pay

Voluntary, with expenses reimbursed

Schedule

Hybrid, with some travel to Dorset for key meetings and events

Contact Information

Please see the candidate pack for full details.
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact:
Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment
on 01962 813300 or info@charismarecruitment.co.uk
Closing date: 25 August 2026
Charisma vetting interviews will be completed on an ongoing basis.
Interviews with Activate: September 2026

Equal Opportunity

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other category protected by law. Charisma is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments, please confirm in your application, or contact our Operations Team on info@charismarecruitment.co.uk.