AA2A is in an exciting period of change and development and are now looking for a small number of people to join our existing Board of Directors and our new Advisory Board.

AA2A - Artists’ Professional Practice Partnerships with Art and Design Institutions

AA2A enriches the academic environment, promotes artistic excellence and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration

Now in its 26th year, AA2A is a transformative programme designed to foster collaboration between universities and artists while supporting new artists and makers in the creative sector. AA2A offers artists and makers the opportunity to undertake a residency in an FE or HE setting. As well as residencies, the scheme offers host institutions a wealth of employability resources for their students tailored to the creative industries. Since it started,  over 2,000 artists have taken part in residencies at over 70 host institutions. 

AA2A creates a unique and enriching experience for students and faculties where artists and academics collaborate to push the boundaries of knowledge and experience.

A well-established part of the UK visual sector, AA2A is an Arts Council England IPSO (Investment Principles Support Organisation). 

Under the new leadership, we are in an exciting period of change and development and are now looking for a small number of people to join our existing Board of Directors and our new Advisory Board. Join us and help us shape our next phase.

We particularly encourage people to apply who are under-represented in the visual arts sector.

For both the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, we are looking for people with one or more of the following knowledge areas:

• Visual arts - working knowledge of the visual arts sector as an artist or arts professional, commitment to supporting artist development

• Creative employment - the business of being an artist, starting a creative business, professional arts practice, portfolio careers, residencies, networking, workspace, funding, finance

• Further and higher education - key drivers/pressures, new initiatives/schemes in arts education, trends in student experience  

• Management - strategic, operational, legal and financial management

• Social media, web presence - how to engage artists and art students, latest trends, using social media for business  

• Audience engagement - commitment to inclusivity and diversity, how to monitor and evaluate performance

• Wellbeing and resilience - live/work balance, motivation, how to develop peer support, current themes around well-being and resilience 

Directors

Role description - Directors

We are seeking dynamic people with knowledge of the visual arts and/or experience working in further or higher arts education to enhance our team’s capabilities. By joining the AA2A Board of Directors, you will support a significant national organisation and make a positive difference to artists and art students. You will share your sector knowledge and experience and contribute to the strategic development of an important UK visual arts organisation. This is a prestigious role within the organisation and comes with the expectation that Directors can offer a high level of expertise and are comfortable with the legal responsibilities that come with the governance of a small limited company. We offer an induction programme, so this role is appropriate for both first-time directors and people with board experience.

Key tasks

• Meet legal compliance requirements, including annual Arts Council England and Companies House reporting   

• Ensure the organisation meets stakeholder expectations

• Oversee all financial information

• Oversee organisational development, including business planning and initiating new projects

• Line management of National Director

• Raise AA2A’s profile nationally by advocating for the organisation through your own networks 

The Board of Directors currently meets online quarterly with occasional project work outside of meetings and one development day per year. Meetings are expected to take 1-2 hours. This is a voluntary role, and there is no remuneration.

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Advisory Board

Role description - Advisory Board

The AA2A Advisory Board is a new initiative for our organisation. We are looking for a diverse range of 6-8 people with relevant knowledge and lived experience who can help us drive our programming into its next phase. 

We are looking for people with experience as artists, makers, and creatives, or who have experience working in or studying an arts-related subject in a college or university setting.

The Advisory Board operates on an informal basis complementary to, but separate from, AA2A’s Board of Directors. We anticipate that this role will suit people with a desire to contribute to AA2A without the legal responsibility of the Director position.

Key tasks

• Attend 4 online meetings per year

• Bring fresh ideas and offer new perspectives to drive the development of new initiatives 

• Feed back on current programming and make recommendations for development

• Contribute occasionally on an informal ad hoc basis between meetings - usually via email

• Advocate for the organisation

• Bring your own network

The Advisory Board will meet online 4 times a year with occasional project work outside of meetings and one development day per year. Meetings are expected to take 1-2 hours. This is a voluntary role and there is no remuneration.

We offer an induction programme so all roles are appropriate for both first time board members and people with board experience. Successful candidates who work in a freelance capacity will be offered a small attendance stipend. 

Benefits to you:

• By joining the new AA2A Board of Directors or Advisory Board you can support the strategic development of a significant national arts organisation making a positive difference to the creative sector. 

• Inclusivity and representation are vital to the development of AA2A; your input can help to ensure different voices are heard at Board level.

• You will have opportunities to learn, gain skills, work collaboratively, develop your CV and raise your profile while networking with creative industry peers.

• You will make a meaningful contribution to arts and arts education sector development without the commitment of a permanent post.