Information Pack Trustees "Since its inception, National Theatre Wales have never been afraid to ask what theatre is and what it might be” The Guardian, UK Welcome. Thank you for your interest in the role of Trustee on the Board of National Theatre of Wales (NTW). NTW collaborates with people and places to make extraordinary theatre that inspires change. We operate from a small base in Cardiff city centre, but the nation of Wales is our stage, and its incredible stories and wealth of talent is our inspiration. The role of the Board, and each of its members, is critical in bringing effective leadership, support and inspiration to the organisation as it enters a new period in its history during challenging times for the arts sector as a whole. We trust that this recruitment pack will give you the relevant information you require on the role plus some further background on NTW and its future. You will find details on how to apply on page 6. The deadline for applications to be received is 12 noon, Wednesday 11th November. Thank you for your interest in NTW and for taking the time to consider joining us. We look forward to hearing from you. Clive Jones, Chair Background National Theatre Wales (NTW) is succession planning for its board of trustees and looking for a number of Non-Executive Directors to join the board from November 2020 onwards. Chaired by Sir Clive Jones CBE since December 2016, the board supports and advances the artistic vision of Lorne Campbell, the new CEO/Artistic Director, who joined the company in March 2020. The Organisation Since its creation in 2010 National Theatre Wales has been pushing at the boundaries of what theatre in Wales seeks to be; collaborating with artists, theatre-makers and communities across the nation to find ways to disrupt, develop and redefine how we tell stories of significance and meaning for the people of Wales. Our audiences have followed Michael Sheen around Port Talbot for The Passion, returning to the town in 2017 for We’re Still Here, tackling the issues of the global steel crisis. They joined us to party with Neon Neon (Gruff Rhys & Boom Bip) in Cardiff, and climbed with us to the foothills of Snowdon to witness first-hand the annual sheep herding and hear poems by the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke for The Gathering / Y Helfa. Many stayed through the night in Llanelli for the marathon performance of Iliad, or donned boots through the muddy farmland of Usk to experience Mametz, Owen Sheers’ chilling glimpse of life and death in a WWI trench. The Tide Whisperer brought people to the beaches of Tenby to reflect on the global phenomenon of displacement and mass movement. More than 140,000 people were in Cardiff to witness Roald Dahl’s City of the Unexpected, Wales’ biggest ever arts event commemorating the writer’s centenary on the streets of his hometown. These are just a fraction of the productions NTW has staged on trains, military training grounds, mountains, warehouses, nightclubs, cricket schools, tents, village halls, schools, aircraft hangars and libraries, across Wales, and beyond. Through TEAM, we bring a unique approach to community engagement and empowerment through theatre, creating a network of people across Wales who influence how we make work with audiences at its heart. Digitally and online, National Theatre Wales’ pioneering work exploring the use of virtual spaces for the development of conversations, creativity and ideas – and the making of work - has paved the way for digital arts and engagement in Welsh theatre. As Covid-19 has stripped us of our ability to connect with audiences in person, our roots in digital creativity and innovation have come to the fore with Network, an online programme of new digital commissions and play-readings, offering further routes for artists and audiences to explore new ways of engaging with the stories that speak of contemporary Wales in these strange and unchartered times. Theatre is a force for change in people’s lives and we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make and experience theatre that challenges, entertains and inspires them. As we plan our work for the rest of the year and into 2021/22, our response to the impact of the pandemic and the reignition of the Black Lives Matter movement is vital to our future. We make a company-wide commitment to anti-racism and our focus on diversity and equality sits at the core of everything we do. The Company - Vision Making Theatre Matter. Our vision captures our ambition to produce theatre that is essential, relevant and meaningful. As a national company, we will produce world-class theatre of a global reputation, exploring Welsh identity and telling stories of national significance. We will take a long-term view and proactively develop both future theatre audiences and theatre-makers in Wales, becoming a leading force for positive change in the sector. We will reimagine the role that a national theatre can and should play in the world in which we now find ourselves and we will continue to play a vital role in the well-being, civic and cultural life of the nation. The Company - Mission The nation of Wales is our stage. We collaborate with people and places to make extraordinary theatre that inspires change. From the intimate to the epic, our work is powerful, brave and unexpected. Created in Wales, with a global outlook, we are the English-language national theatre of Wales. Collaborate. Make. Inspire The Company - Values Our values are our guiding principles that underpin all of our work. We strive to be: − Ambitious - in the work we make, how we make it and how we present it − Open – transparent, accessible, and curious, being quick to adapt in a rapidly shifting world − Enabling – nurturing people to realise their own ambitions, acting as a catalyst for change − Inclusive - including our community in decision-making and standing firm in our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to make and experience theatre For the next stage of our journey we are recruiting a number of Non-Executive Directors to join our Board. Certain voices are under-represented on the Board at the moment, and we are particularly looking for younger candidates, and people who identify as being of Colour, disabled, or LGBT+. We need individuals who can represent the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of Welsh life, with relevant skills and experience in the areas of Theatre-making (as writer, director, actor, designer, stage manager, technician, community practitioner or producer), politics and the policy-making context in Wales and beyond, social change and equality, fundraising, Welsh language and culture; or quite simply, anyone who is passionate about theatre as a means to inspire change. As a Board member you will work effectively with our current Board and the Executive Team to help us realise our artistic vision and reflect the best of Wales at home and abroad. You will contribute to the good governance of the organisation and its use of public funds, and will act in an ambassadorial role. If you think you are that person, and feel like you share our values, ideals and aspirations, then we’d love to hear from you. The Role NTW has a board of Trustees (Non-Executive Directors) with a diverse range of skills and experience, drawn from a variety of occupations and backgrounds. The current Board comprises nine Trustees: Sir Clive Jones (Chair) - Broadcaster, Chair of the ITV pension Scheme, Chair of Runnymede Trust, and Chair of Sightsavers Wayne Boucher - photographer, film-maker, music producer Bethan Cousins - New Business Director, Development Bank of Wales Sian Doyle - Managing Director (Consumer), Talk Talk Raidene Carter - Executive Producer (Cultural Programme & Live Sites) Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Simon Pirotte - CEO/Principal Bridgend College Keith Power - Former Senior Vice President with US multinational Federal-Mogul Motorparts Roger Awan Scully - Head of Politics and International Relations and Professor of Political Science, University of Cardiff Bedwyr Williams - Conceptual Artist The Board of Trustees are the Members and Directors of NTW, and are collectively responsible for the success of the Company. Specific duties include; − Ensuring that National Theatre Wales complies with its governing document, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations − The Board has the legal responsibility to ensure that the assets held on trust are applied to the charitable objectives − The Board is collectively responsible for the success of the organisation, for setting its strategic aims and ensuring that necessary resources are in place to meet its objectives and monitoring performance − The Board defines the values and standards of the Company, including the mission statement and artistic policy. Once the Board has agreed on strategy and policies, it defers responsibility for execution to the Executive Team and assumes a monitoring and supporting role − The Board scrutinises the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives and ensures that the Company’s controls and systems of reporting are robust − The Board ensures transparency and accountability in the Company’s activities being mindful of the support from public funds − The Board safeguards the reputation and values of National Theatre Wales. − The Board reviews and approves the artistic programme proposed by the Artistic Director Trustee person specification NTW’s trustees have a collective passion for theatre and access to the arts, and are drawn from diverse backgrounds, with skills or experience in particular areas including the arts, academia, finance, human resource management, marketing and business leadership. Board members are not expected to take on sole responsibility for their area of expertise, as the Board is collectively responsible for its decisions and actions.