Yorkshire Sculpture Park Appointment of Director

July 2021 Reference: EYYSB

An introduction

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is the leading international centre for modern and contemporary sculpture which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017.

YSP was founded in 1977 by Peter Murray CBE with a single grant of £1,000 and an exhibition of 31 sculptures. Through 4 decades, driven by his vision and commitment, Trustees have invested around £30m in developing the infrastructure and YSP now has £22 million net assets and a turnover of around £6 million. A mixture of around 30 historic and modern buildings house 2 visitor centres, 2 restaurants, 2 café bars, a small number of business units, storage and workshops and, most importantly, 5 indoor galleries ranging from modern purpose-built spaces to an historic Chapel.

Over the last 40+ years, Peter and the team at Yorkshire Sculpture Park have changed the cultural landscape; they’ve brought world-class artists to Yorkshire and won prestigious awards, including Museum of the Year in 2014. YSP has evolved into what is now widely regarded as one of the best places to see contemporary and modern sculpture in the UK and Europe, if not the world.

Asked what he’s most proud of, Peter talks about visitors and about education. “We’ve generated an audience that is passionate about YSP and loves it because of the art. But we haven’t compromised – we’ve brought the audience with us. Everything we do here is underpinned by education”.

As Principal Lecturer in art education at Bretton Hall College, Peter was keen to use the landscape for art. He wanted to make art accessible, for students to experience kinaesthetic aspects of a sculpture – to be able to walk around it, to see and feel the influence of the elements, the wind and rain, the changing light. And so, the successful concept of ‘art without walls’ was born.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

From the outset, Peter sought the support and advice of those with strong reputations in their own fields, including artists, curators and entrepreneurs. With their help, the building blocks of the YSP model began to take shape. Key to this is the commitment to consider the needs of the artist and the importance of providing support and expertise to help artists achieve the full potential of their projects. Working with artists like Andy Goldsworthy, David Nash, and others in the early days of their practice, he developed strong relationships which have seen the return of artists to YSP at the zenith of their careers. The same personal approach underpins the work of the curatorial team, continuing to help garner the support of many of the world’s leading sculptors and their estates.

The success of this model and the international support from artists and the art world is a valuable inheritance, providing a strong base to continue to build on.

“Yorkshire has a great tradition of sculpture – Henry Moore was born in Castleford and Barbara Hepworth was born in Wakefield. There was a willingness from Moore, Anthony Caro and other important British artists to give their support to the Sculpture Park. We could sense we were doing something different. Although we didn’t get a lot of public backing at first, we did get a lot from the artistic community and so knew we were onto something that had enormous potential for the future”.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park has a committed team of dedicated staff who have been a key part of YSP’s success. They are passionate about the artistic mission of YSP as well as serving their local community. There is a strong commitment to creating an organisation in which everyone feels valued and respected and where an individual’s own diversity is viewed positively. In every aspect of work, from recruitment and employment to audience development and the programme all forms of equality are considered.

Programme and Learning

YSP has a world class collection of sculpture from some of the world’s leading artists, including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Joan Miró, Ai Weiwei and Elisabeth Frink. Alongside this, the Park presents an internationally significant temporary exhibition programme which each year features globally renowned artists. Important site-specific works by artists, including James Turrell, Andy Goldsworthy and David Nash, provide unique features of the collection and the landscape.

The approach to the programme has always been ambitious and apart from establishing a curatorial tradition at YSP major overseas projects/exhibitions have been organised in Germany, Austria, Forte de Belvedere in Florence and more recently the Venice Biennale. This approach, pioneered by Peter Murray, helped to establish international recognition and the confidence of artists, which is further enhanced by the strong reputations of the Director of Programme and Learning and Head of Curatorial Programme who continue to build networks and personal

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

relationships both nationally and internationally. The curatorial and technical team continue to develop and deliver a highly acclaimed programme.

Working with emerging artists has always been one of the key building blocks of the YSP model, and a comprehensive programme of residencies and research opportunities which started in the early years continues this tradition.

The artistic programme and estate are generators for an exemplary learning programme that supports creativity, social engagement and personal aspiration – with over 40,000 people participating each year. YSP’s unique assets are a powerful stimulus, promoting wellbeing and engagement in a way that is not possible in a traditional classroom or care setting. All programmes build on acquired knowledge from action-research projects and inspire engagement in the arts and landscape. This includes projects with children and families from socio-economically disadvantaged communities and people with lived experience of mental health needs. With a distinctive focus on art, landscape, ecology and heritage, YSP provides new opportunities to further develop innovative learning and outreach provision and reaches less engaged communities through a series of thoughtful interventions and activities.

To learn more about past and future exhibitions please see the website: https://ysp.org.uk/exhibitions.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

Trading and Operations

YSP today is a thriving organisation employing close to 250 (125 FTE) staff at peak times of year. The Deputy Director is responsible for the broad spectrum of activity which supports our core purpose, building and maintaining strong relationships with cultural leaders, local and national political leaders and a wide range of stakeholders.

Strong financial management will remain key in facing the uncertain economic climate ahead and the Deputy Director is supported by the Head of Finance in bringing together the financial management of the Charity and the Trading Company.

YSP has a dynamic trading arm which runs its own significant catering operation with several restaurants and cafes onsite, meeting rooms and a high profile and distinctive retail offering at the two on-site shops and online.

A small Development team strive to maximise support from Trusts and Foundations, project and site-specific grants, income generation and philanthropic support. As a National Portfolio Organisation of the Arts Council England (ACE), this vital, core support accounts for approximately 20% of YSP's funding and the organisation is in the process of looking ahead to negotiating the next phase of this support from 2022.

The Park has made a major strategic commitment to environmental sustainability and this will play an increasingly important aspect in all areas of activity. The management of the 500 acre 18th century landscape is a key factor and a new ten-year Heritage Landscape Management Plan is currently being developed with the support of Natural England. The Head of Estates and Capital Projects leads a small team responsible for the upkeep of the estate and manages key relationships with tenant farmers and specialist workers. The ecology of the estate is complex and will play an increasingly important role in promoting a greater understanding of the close relationship between art and nature at YSP.

Marketing and PR at YSP drive a strong presence in the national and international artworld press and media, in tandem with promoting a welcoming and accessible message for a wider public. The importance of developing a digital and online audience and maximising our social media and website presence are becoming increasingly important.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

The Opportunity

YSP’s Founding Director, Peter Murray, has now announced that he will be stepping down from his role in 2022. The Board of Trustees are seeking candidates to come forward for the position of Director. Whilst this will be a significant moment of transition for the organisation there are also many exciting and interesting challenges and opportunities ahead for YSP. This is a chance for an incoming Director to help develop and implement a new phase of the long-term and sustainable strategy and business plan for the Park to ensure it continues to thrive and have impact in the years ahead.

Immediate challenges for YSP include:

Working through issues relating to the Post-Covid recovery YSP has weathered the Covid storm well but is still going through the process of understanding the implications of a new ticketing regime and meeting the challenges of rebuilding its financial reserves.

Developing a strategic long-term vision for the historic landscape The impact of Covid and the biodiversity crisis have brought to the foreground the organisation’s responsibilities for its 500-acre estate. Preserving and enhancing what is, in effect, YSP’s gallery space needs a new strategic vision and business plan, based on the development of a new Historic Landscape Management Plan which is underway and underpinned by the organisation’s skills and experience.

Continuing to consolidate the diversity of audience development and engagement YSP is ambitious to continue work which focusses on increasing meaningful access to sculpture and the arts, by hosting exhibitions and continuing to develop an educational offer which are relevant to a diverse audience. The organisation also needs to build on the recent experience of developing virtual audiences through social media and digitisation.

Influencing the proposed development at the centre of our estate Bretton Investment Partnership (BIP - which incorporates Hauser and Wirth and Rushbond) is redeveloping Bretton Hall. Sited in the heart of the original 18th century estate this is an independent development which aims to operate a hotel and ancillary activities. It is imperative to continue to build a close working relationship with BIP to ensure the potential for a shared vision for education and arts can be developed, and that the introduction of a hotel can complement and enhance YSP’s core offer. The Director will work closely with the Chair and Trustees in the furtherance of this objective.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

Developing a long-term sustainable strategy around art and archive storage YSP has recently accepted archive material from three significant 20th century sculptors which are housed temporarily, and the organisation is responsible for the National Art Education Archive building in the centre of the park. The YSP archive itself is a unique resource which needs to be properly digitised and catalogued, requiring a long-term plan. The development of an art storage facility may also be considered in the future.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

Person speciﬁcation

The successful candidate will ideally bring all or most of the following qualities:

An understanding of the vision and legacy of the YSP The post-holder will work with the trustees and senior leadership team to develop the visionary principles upon which the sculpture park was founded, centred on the arts and education within the landscape that is YSP’s home. A new director will need to respond to the new challenges that have emerged over recent years.

Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and inspire Candidates will bring a track record of strategic leadership and the ability to inspire and motivate a skilled and dedicated staff of around 250 people, to think holistically, laterally and entrepreneurially, and deliver the vision of YSP as the pre-eminent sculpture park in the UK, acting as custodians of 500 acres of historic landscape.

The experience required to run a substantial and complex arts organisation The ability to build the YSP’s profile and reputation both nationally and internationally, establishing and maintaining key networks with artists and sculptors, their estates and galleries, as well as cultural leaders, local and national political leaders and a wide range of stakeholders.

An ability to lead and contribute to a wide-ranging fundraising programme Fundraising will be an important part of this role and a track record of success in this area is desirable. The Director will introduce new potential sources of funding and work with the senior leadership team and the Board of Trustees to develop and maximise fundraising opportunities, cultivating current and potential donors to help support the YSP’s diverse programme, and will work with the head of YSP’s trading company to maximise on-site income generation.

A creative approach to articulate and enhance YSP’s reputation via its programme The Director will play a key role in developing both the permanent collection and working to present the highest quality temporary exhibitions of both established and emerging artists. Working with the curatorial team and supporting staff in the generation of ideas for exhibitions, programmes, and partnerships which support and enhance the reputation of the YSP nationally and internationally.

The ability to develop YSP’s educational vision and its reach to a wider public Learning is at the heart of the YSP experience and knowledge of how its educational programmes can be delivered digitally would be welcome. The strategic development of Learning at YSP must continue to reach out to new audiences from the widest range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and to continue collaboration with local and regional partners, alongside further developing a digital and online audience.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

Terms of appointment

The role will be based at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Yorkshire.

It is expected that the Director will undertake a certain amount of travel on behalf of YSP.

As this is the first change of leadership at YSP the Trustees are considering the appropriate salary for an incoming Director, however the current expected range is between £80,000 - 100,000.

How to apply

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on this appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code EYYSB.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter, and complete the online equal opportunities monitoring* form.

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 23rd August 2021.

* The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application. Please complete as part of the application process.

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR SB

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YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK | DIRECTOR