Join Culture Counts' Steering Group

Want to make more of a difference to the future of Scotland’s arts, heritage and creative economy sectors? Could you help us make sure more parts of our sector get their voices heard at the heart of our advocacy, strategy and decision-making? We’re looking for 3-6 new members of our Steering Group, and have identified key areas where we’d like to strengthen our representation.

Do have a look at our call-out (below) for full details, and if you’d like to apply we’d love to hear from you by the deadline of Friday 22. November 2024.

CULTURE COUNTS: STEERING GROUP CALL-OUT

Culture Counts provides a collective voice for Scotland’s cultural sector. It is a network of over 70 arts, heritage and creative industries organisations, which advocates for the development and protection of culture as fundamental to our common future. It works strategically to gather evidence-based insights and data to support advocacy work to demonstrate the value that culture brings to Scotland’s economy, society, health and wellbeing. Unique in Scotland, Culture Counts stands out for its sector-wide representationand strategic approach, set up by members of the culture sector to address specific needs. Our primary stakeholders include arts, heritage, and creative industry organisations, policymakers, and the general public who benefit from a vibrant cultural sector. Culture Counts is hosted by the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) and is supported by membership fees, funding from Creative Scotland, project partners and trusts and foundations. Culture Counts Steering Group, comprised of sector leaders, is responsible for developing strategy as well as providing advice and support.

THE STEERING GROUP

Culture Counts’ Steering Group is made up of 8-12 core members who meet monthly. They provide direction to Culture Counts, and also have an important function in sharing intelligence and providing insights from their own membership and networks. The role of the Steering Group is to:

  • Approve and support the development of Culture Counts overall direction, vision, values and mission and strategy. 

  • Support staff in their delivery of the organisation’s objectives

  • As a project hosted within Federation of Scottish Theatre ensure on behalf of FST Board of Trustees that Culture Counts complies with regulatory and statutory requirements. 

  • Monitor finances and budget

  • Provide advice, share intelligence and expertise, and offer question and challenge

  • Act as ambassadors for Culture Counts

Specific qualities sought in Steering Group members include:

  • Knowledge of Scotland’s culture sector and an understanding of its challenges 

  • Knowledge of Scotland’s political and policy context.

  • Ability to contribute to the strategic direction of Culture Counts

  • A shared interest and commitment to the aims of Culture Counts 

  • Strong networks and contacts across the cultural and political sectors.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Culture Counts is looking to recruit 3-6 new members to the Steering Group from amongst its membership. Following an audit of our current Steering Group, we are particularly looking for new members who:

  • Bring experience of the creative industries, community arts or heritage and / or creative placemaking

  • Can represent and advocate for smaller creative organisations, and / or creative freelancers

  • Can support cross-portfolio work with regard to the cultural sector and health and wellbeing

  • Bring perspectives that are less-well reflected on our board. This includes representation of:

    • Gaelic / Scots languages 

    • Those outside the Central Belt of Scotland

    • Black and people of colour 

    • D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent folk

    • Working class creatives

In all cases, we’re looking for people at a level of seniority that can take strategic decisions directly on behalf of their organisation, including on public statements, consultation responses and so on. 

COMMITMENT AND REMUNERATION

Steering Group meetings are held monthly (usually online), and a strategic planning day is held annually. Steering Group Members must strive to attend all meetings regularly, including annual away days, ensuring they prepare for and contribute appropriately and effectively. Meetings of the group will usually last 1.5 hours.

Steering Group membership is a voluntary position - attendees are typically able to include their participation within their working role and hours. However, for 2024 we are introducing (up to) two financial stipends for new Steering Group members for whom finances would otherwise be a barrier for participation (for example, because they are freelance, volunteers, or work in a project-funded organisation). These stipends are intended to reduce barriers to participation, and will offer £1,000 per year toward the time requirements of participation. For this first year, stipends will initially be offered for 6 months (i.e.£500), with extension for a further 6 months by mutual agreement (and subject to Creative Scotland’s Multi-year Funding decisions). Please note in your application if you would like to be considered to receive a stipend if your application is successful. 

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interested candidates should send a one-page letter of interest, outlining their interest in the role, relevant experience, and fit with our priority recruitment areas above, to kathryn@culturecounts.scot. If preferred, video applications of no more than 5 minutes in length may be submitted (via WeTransfer or similar) to the same email address. The deadline for initial expressions of interest is Friday 22. November 2024. The Culture Counts Steering Group will shortlist applications and arrange follow-up discussions with shortlisted applicants. 

Lori Anderson