Queen S Hall Arts - Job Description (2005)

QUEEN’S HALL ARTS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Thank you for your interest in the position of Artistic Director/Chief Executive. The Board of Queen’s Hall Arts is clear that strong and purposeful leadership is vital to our continued growth and success, our ability to thrive and to meet the wishes of our customers, staff, funders and trustees.

If you were to join us, you would be building on strong foundations. Having secured our future financial support from Arts Council England and Northumberland County Council, we have a confident but challenging business plan. We have a small but hugely committed staff team who share our vision. At the same time, we are looking forward to working with a new leader who will develop both our vision of the future for QHA and the role itself.

Our current Artistic Director, Geof Keys, is leaving after a period of 20 years, leading the organisation through a period of successful delivery and growth. He will be developing a freelance career in the North East and is available and committed to supporting a full and effective transition, with a flexible time-line to suit his successor’s plans and needs.

If you wish to apply please send your completed application form to Annette Dickson, General Manager by e- mail. Do not submit any other material, as this will not be considered in our selection process. The closing date for applications is 8th March. We are planning to carry out interviews on 28th & 29th March and will contact short-listed candidates by phone/e-mail to arrange dates and times.

I hope that you find the information in this application pack useful in both assessing whether you might be the right person for this job and whether we might be the right organisation for you.

Andrew Harvey Chair, Queen’s Hall Arts

CONTENTS History of the Queen’s Hall Press Release General information about the post Job Description Person Specification Application Form Equal Opportunities – Recruitment Monitoring Form

Attached:: QHA BUSINESS PLAN 2018-19

Links for additional information: - Queens Hall Arts website www.queenshall.co.uk Annual reports on Charity Commission website:- http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx? RegisteredCharityNumber=1088975&SubsidiaryNumber=0

1 QUEEN’S HALL ARTS, HEXHAM

HISTORY

The Queen’s Hall (and more generally Beaumont Street) was developed in a period of expansion and optimism for both private and public life in Hexham. In 1857 the Corn Exchange Company was formed with an ambition to build a permanent home for weekly agricultural markets and fairs. At the same time Wentworth Blackett Beaumont MP, (landowner of the site) was looking to establish a town hall in collaboration with the Board of Health. These ideas were brought together by a local banking house, Messrs. Lambton & Co and the princely sum of £8,000 was raised to develop the project.

Between its opening in 1866 and 1917 the building played host to balls, concerts and recitals, and a music hall. The Corn Exchange itself, however, became less used as the agricultural economy hit hard times and the building was used more as a lettings space – private parties, exhibitions and indoor sports activities. In 1917 beset by financial difficulties, the Corn Exchange Company closed the building.

In 1921 The Hexham Entertainments Company, formed by Thomas Herbert Scott, bought the building and transformed the south wing into the 650-seat Queen’s Cinema (opening on 14th March 1921). Three years later the Corn Exchange became the Queen’s Hall ballroom, with a dance floor known for its 1,000 springs. As well as regular Saturday evening dances the ballroom hosted major events in the social calendar of the time, such as the Hunt Ball, with attendances often reaching the 900-person capacity. The business prospered and even significant damage to the cinema in a fire in February 1931 was quickly dealt with (creating the current art deco features). In 1946 the north wing of the building was taken over by the county council to be used as a library and as offices for the registrar of births, marriages and deaths.

After the Second World War the business became less viable. Competition from TV caused a decline in cinema audiences and a lack of reinvestment into the building saw the facility deteriorating. In the 1960s the cinema was converted into a bingo hall that ran until 1976. By then the building was in an advance state of decay with dampness penetrating the walls and dry rot affecting joists, rafters and beams.

MODERN TIMES

In 1975 Northumberland County Council and Tynedale District Council jointly purchased the building, with a view to developing a library, arts centre and teachers’ training centre. As well as meeting the needs and aspirations of the local authorities there was a great deal of support from the local community to save and develop the building. In particular members of the Hexham Amateur Stage Society were active lobbyists in securing a high-quality theatre space (having staged their first production, The Gondoliers, at the Queen’s Hall in 1932.)

The building was re-opened in stages from 1981, and was officially unveiled by the Minister of Arts, the Earl of Gowrie on 23rd October 1983. The configuration was very much as it is today with the theatre in the south wing, library in the central Exchange and a café and mixed office usage in the north wing.

A NEW CENTURY

Queen’s Hall Arts (QHA), then a newly established charity, acquired the lease in 2001 and set out to make the building fit for the 21st Century. In 2003 the reception areas were opened out to create spacious rooms with improved accessibility – modern in appearance but proportionally more empathetic to the original design. As part of this development new gallery spaces were created. In 2004 the auditorium was renovated and re-seated – reducing the capacity from 400 to 340. (This produced more comfort but also reflected the need to accommodate the expanding girth of the average citizen from 1983-2004!) In 2008 the North Wing was renovated and spaces restored to their original proportions to be let out to creative businesses.

In 2017 Northumberland CC invested £500k into upgrading the library and turning it into a more general services hub. This improved facility re-opened in January 2018. QHA is very positive about this development which is now bringing an increased footfall into the Queen’s Hall from a broad range of people in the local community, adding to the accessibility of the arts.

2 Under the management of the new charity the last 17 years has been a period of growth and development for the arts with an expansion of professional work and a continuing commitment to local community activity. Alongside the programmed work in the theatre, studio and galleries there has been a huge growth in participation with the development of regular sessions delivering drama, folk music and choral work and intensive weeks for young people during the summer holidays. This growth has been achieved against a background of local government re-organisation and reduced public funding for the arts.

As well as developing the arts in Hexham QHA has played a pivotal role across Northumberland – establishing the Highlights rural touring scheme, supporting local film clubs and playing a leading role in Bait, the Creative People & Places programme in SE Northumberland. At a regional and national level, it has established the arts centre as an important venue for touring companies, a key partner in venues consortia and a place where high quality work can be commissioned, developed and produced.

CHANGING PATTERN OF FINANCE & GROWTH OF ENGAGEMENT

FINANCE 2000-01 2016-17 Arts Council England annual grant 41,805 118,147 Northumberland LA annual grant 193,970 98,560 Total Core Public Subsidy 235,775 216,707 Turnover 395,000 615,000 Core public subsidy as % of turnover 60% 35%

ATTENDERS Performing Arts Engagement 21,524 39,561 Visual Arts Engagement 8,100 48,106 Total Engagement 29,624 87,667 Core public subsidy per attendance £7.96 £2.47 Local authority subsidy per attendance £6.55 £1.12

THE FUTURE

In 2017 QHA successfully secured medium term agreements for future funding with Northumberland County Council and with Arts Council England (as a National Portfolio Organisation). However, these are at standstill levels and the company is committed to further diversifying and expanding income to maintain and develop its activities. An accelerated diversification process is being supported by an award of £150,000 from Arts Council England’s Catalyst programme.

Queen’s Hall Arts’ Mission is to be the creative heart of the community delivering great arts experiences and supporting professional and aspiring artists.

3 PRESS RELEASE 29/1/18

Geof Keys to leave the Queen’s Hall

After more than 20 years at the helm Geof Keys, Artistic Director of the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham is stepping down this summer. During his time at the arts centre he has led some big changes.

In 2001 Queen’s Hall Arts was set up to take the local arts service out of direct local authority control. The new charity quickly raised the funds for major building works, creating gallery spaces, improving access and renovating the theatre. The rather daunting public building that housed a theatre and a library has become a welcoming multi-purpose arts centre and local services hub.

It has been a period of growth and development for the arts with an expanded programme of professional work alongside a commitment to community activity – and not just at the Queen’s Hall. Some of the work Geof is most proud of has been across Northumberland – establishing the Highlights rural touring scheme, supporting local film clubs and playing a leading role in Bait, the Creative People & Places programme in SE Northumberland. Overall engagement numbers for the service have risen from 29,000 in 2001 to over 87,000 in 2017.

“20 years is an extraordinary length of time to be doing this job. I am deeply grateful to the QHA staff and board (and to the artists we support and the community we serve) for making it a pleasurable and satisfying experience – notwithstanding that it can be hard work at times! I believe that now is the right time for me to move on and also the right time for the organisation to refresh itself under new leadership, cushioned by the new agreements we have with our core funders, Arts Council England and Northumberland County Council, and a building fit for purpose.”

Queen’s Hall Arts has started the recruitment process (see www.queenshall.co.uk/vacancies). Geof is planning to stay in the area developing a range of new projects to support North East based artists and companies.

4 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE POST

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a permanent post with a starting salary of up to £40,000 per year, depending on skills and experience.

Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis with changes implemented in September.

Normal working hours are 37 per week. Because of the variable pattern of activity these are managed flexibly and hours may vary from week to week, with lieu time being taken during the course of a year. There is no provision for overtime.

Holiday entitlement is 30 days per year rising to 35 days after 5 years of continuous service (inclusive of public holidays).

Full details of terms and conditions are available on request.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Application forms should be returned by email to [email protected]. The closing date is Thursday 8 March 2018.

Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 28-29 March

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

The appointment will be subject to:- a) A satisfactory enhanced DBS check. b) The satisfactory receipt of references and a pre-employment medical questionnaire.

All QHA appointments to permanent positions are subject to a six-month probationary period during which either side may serve notice of termination without any requirement to give cause.

5 QUEEN’S HALL ARTS - JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

RESPONSIBLE TO: The Board of Trustees, Queen’s Hall Arts

RESPONSIBLE FOR: All QHA staff

RESPONSIBILITIES:-

ARTISTIC DIRECTION

 To provide strong and inspirational leadership to enable QHA to achieve its artistic objectives within a changing cultural and commercial environment.  To develop and implement a diverse, well planned and high-quality rolling programme of professional and community-generated arts events and activities, both at Queen’s Hall and in an outreach programme.  To keep abreast of trends and developments in the creative sector in general so as to maintain the optimum relevance and impact of QHA’s programme.  To seek out, commission and support emerging and established arts organisations and individual artists, ensuring a high standard of new and commissioned works and supporting the development of relevant skills.  To build and maintain positive relationships with local authorities and Arts Council England in the planning and delivery of strategies for the development of the arts that are capable of achieving significant impacts at a regional level.  To build and maintain other effective collaborations, partnerships and networks in furtherance of QHA’s artistic objectives.  To ensure that effective artists’ contractual agreements and obligations are in place and that they adequately protect the interests of the company.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 To develop the widest possible engagement in QHA’s work, particularly amongst those living in Hexham and its surrounding area, and to champion the organisation’s commitment to accessibility and affordability.  To lead the implementation of QHA’s fundraising and marketing strategies, diversifying sources of income and achieving relevant funding targets.  To build and maintain effective strategic collaborations and partnerships, including productive relationships with funders, in order to support the business objectives of QHA and help it achieve its vision.  To negotiate the terms of grants and other funding agreements.  To build and maintain a prominent and positive public profile for QHA, including representation of the organisation at external events and in the media.

6 ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT

 To maintain a positive, open and responsive working environment and cultural ethos at Queen’s Hall, conducive to the development of new work and the attainment of high standards of artistic endeavour.  To have overall responsibility for the management of the finances and resources of the company.

 To develop the company’s organisational business model and to prepare, recommend and manage annual budgets, business plans and requisite reporting processes.  To line manage staff as specified in the line management structure, leading an effective team of staff and volunteers to deliver the company’s Mission and the operation of its day to day activities.  To have overall responsibility for administering all contractual relationships entered into by the company, and for all relevant matters of legal compliance.  To have overall responsibility for implementing human resources policies and procedures, regularly reviewing them to ensure legal compliance, best practice and systems for implementation.  To attend and report at meetings of the Board of Trustees and its committees; to advise and assist the Board on all matters relevant to the discharge of its responsibilities, including through the timely preparation of documents and maintenance of regular communications with members of the Board.  To have overall responsibility for health and safety matters, covering employees, volunteers, members of the public and any other persons who may participate in or be affected by the activities of the company.  To act as designated premises supervisor for the implementation of the Premises Licence for the Queen's Hall, and to act as Duty Officer as part of a team rota.

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time by the Trustees. The appointee may be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Board.

7 Artistic Director/Chief Executive - Person Specification

Essential Desirable Experience  Senior-level organisational and  Experience at chief people leadership executive or artistic  Strong track record of theatre/arts director level venue management  Creative shaping of  Artistic programming and arts agendas commissioning  Business  Financial management development  Grant application writing experience  Public and media relations Skills/abilities  Ability to lead a small, diverse and  Ability to lead dynamic team fundraising initiatives  Ability to inspire, motivate and  Influential networking achieve results through others  Sensitivity in  Proactive strategic thinker understanding and  Financial management skills and dealing with artists / business acumen audiences /  Ability to act as a public participants with spokesperson for QHA and an special needs advocate for its mission  Ability to broker the development of productive partnerships with organisations and individuals  Excellent written, oral and public communication skills Knowledge  Understanding of the artistic context  Familiarity with for work developed and provided by education and QHA community work  Knowledge of marketing and  Familiarity with legal audience development and financial  Understanding of diversity and regulation of charities social inclusion agendas and company law issues  Understanding of the particular needs and challenges of a rural environment Qualities  A supportive and empowering management style  Enthusiasm, fairness, patience and diplomacy  Commitment to the values, ideals and objectives of QHA  Commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, cultural diversity and broadening access to the arts

QUEENS HALL ARTS EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION FORM

POSITION: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Title:

Nationality: NI Number:

Address:

Postcode:

Phones, e-mail:

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

Queens Hall Arts operates a disabled working policy. Do you require special facilities or assistance if asked to an interview, or with any aspect of the job, if appointed?

Yes  No 

(If yes please give details on a separate sheet)

ATTENDANCE RECORD

How many occasions have you been absent from work due to illness over the last 24 months:

How many working days did the absence(s) total:

Please state reasons and dates for each absence (in brief):-

10 CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Have you any criminal convictions?

Yes  No 

If yes please give details Date: Court: Nature of offence: Sentence

Are you at present having any charges brought against you?

Yes  No 

If yes please give details Date: Court: Nature of offence: Sentence

N.B. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 a candidate is not usually obliged to disclose spent convictions.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Education: Dates School/College Qualifications

11 Details of other qualifications/training/short courses etc. Dates Details Qualifications

Interests outside of work

EMPLOYMENT

Most recent employment:

Dates: Company/Organisation:

Position: Nature of contract (e.g. full time, casual):

Main Duties: -

Current/Reasons for leaving:

Notice period required:

Current Salary:

12 Employment history: Dates Company/Organisation Position Reasons for leaving

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

With reference to your experience and interests, and to the person specification, please tell us why you would be a suitable candidate for this position.

13 REFERENCES

References: Please give the names, addresses and phone numbers of 2 referees, one of whom should be an appropriate person from your most recent employment:

Can we contact the above referees prior to interview?

Yes  No 

If no, please briefly state why:-

I declare that the information in this application form is correct.

Name: Date:

Completed forms should be returned by email to Annette Dickson, General Manager [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Thursday 8 March 2018.

14 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES - RECRUITMENT MONITORING FORM – STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Queen’s Hall Arts (QHA) is committed to promoting fairness and eliminating discrimination from recruitment and selection practices. We will ensure that no job applicant or employee received less favourable treatment either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of age, race, disability, gender, marital status, religion or faith or sexual orientation. To monitor and audit the effective delivery of this commitment, QHA requests applicants to provide information asked for in this monitoring form. This will only be used for this purpose, will form no part of the interview process, and will be treated in strict confidence. This form will be detached from your application form.

Date: Position applied for: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Where did you learn of this post?:

QHA Website QHA email Arts Council England

Newspaper (please specify……………………………..)

Other (please specify……………………………………)

1. Gender: Male Female

2. Date of birth:

3. Marital status: Married Single Divorced

Other (Please specify ………………………………………………………)

4. Nationality:

5. How would you describe your ethnic origin?

White Black or black British A British M Caribbean B Irish N African C Any other white background P Any other black background Mixed Other ethnic groups D White and black Caribbean R Chinese E White and black African S Other ethnic groups F White and Asian Please specify …………………………….. G Other mixed background Z Not stated Asian or Asian British H Indian J Pakistani K Bangladeshi L Other Asian background Please specify ……………………………… . 6. Disability is defined by the Disability Discrimination Act as;

15 A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The disability could be physical, sensory or mental and must be expected to last at least 12 months.

Are you a disabled person as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act? Yes No

7. How would you describe your religion or belief?

Christian Buddhist Hindu Jewish

Muslim Sikh None Prefer not to say

Other (please specify ……………………………………………………………………)

8. What of the following describes your sexual orientation?

Bi-sexual Gay Heterosexual Lesbian

Other Prefer not to disclose

Thank you for completing this form. Please return it with your application to [email protected]