We are delighted to welcome Leah Black as Chief Executive of WHALE.
WHALE Arts appoints Chief Executive
WHALE Arts is delighted to announce the appointment of Leah Black as Chief Executive. Leah is taking over from Allan Farmer who served as Director from January 2014 to April 2018.
Leah Black brings a wealth of experience in cultural production and strategy, most recently working as a Creative Industries Officer (Craft) for Creative Scotland. Previously, Leah served as Director of Upland CIC, a rural-based visual art and craft development organisation working across Dumfries and Galloway leading the CIC in its evolution from Spring Fling CIC in 2013-15. Currently a Warden of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh, Leah previously served as a board member of The Stove Network in Dumfries and Craft Scotland. With a background as a designer and maker Leah ran a jewellery business after graduating from Glasgow School of Art and has acted as a mentor on Vanilla Ink jewellery incubator programme.
As Chief Executive, Leah will lead the organisation through an exciting new period of development and ensure that WHALE Arts is the creative heart of a vibrant buy ativan now thriving community.
Leah Black said: “WHALE Arts is an organisation with a wonderful reputation so I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed into this role. I am looking forward to working alongside the dedicated and experienced staff, getting to know the local community and together embracing the exciting task of leading WHALE Arts through its next phase.”
Michelle Herron, Chair of WHALE Board said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with Allan over the years and while we are sad to lose him, we are delighted he is going onto a role that will allow him to further develop his interests and expertise. Leah’s appointment from a very competitive recruitment process is very exciting. I feel her skills, knowledge and expertise will work well with the excellent staff team, allowing them to work together to continue the great work WHALE Arts does as well as develop new innovative approaches to support the community and our stakeholders.”
For more information please contact Jenny Salmean, Administrator – jenny@whalearts.co.uk
Puppet Animation Festival 2018
We’re excited to be working with the brilliant Puppet Animation Scotland, to host performances and workshops as part of the Puppet Animation Festival 2018.
With a diverse range of events for children between the ages of 0-12 including puppet making and animation workshops, puppet theatre and animated films, the programme at WHALE includes immersive performances and workshops for those with complex needs, among others.
The Puppet Animation Festival has run continuously since 1984, and in 2017 the festival featured almost 140 events in over 30 venues, all across Scotland (including at WHALE!). Now in its 35th year, Puppet Animation Festival is the UK’s largest performing arts event for children.
Check out the fab line up and book your tickets here:
Monday 2 April, 2pm – Conan and the Dragon
Friday 6 April, 10am – Sensory Storytelling Workshop
Saturday 7 April, 10am – Pop-up Animation Workshop
Thursday 11 April, 2pm – Legs 11
Puppet Animation Festival 2018
Check out the line-up and book tickets for the Puppet Animation Festival 2018 at WHALE Arts.
Vacancy: Chief Executive
WHALE Arts – Chief Executive
WHALE Arts is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive to lead the organisation through an exciting new phase of development and ensure that WHALE Arts is the creative heart of a vibrant, thriving community.
The Chief Executive is responsible for WHALE Arts’ strategic and operational development. They will oversee all aspects of WHALE’s programming, building, staff, finances, and ensure the organisation achieves its objectives.
Job Description
Strategic Management
• Develop, implement and monitor strategic and operational plans with the Board of Directors and staff. Ensure these align with local authority and government aims and respond to the assets and aspirations of local people.
• Maintain current and develop new partnerships with community, creative, cultural, and academic partners – including Wester Hailes Community Trust and Living Well Wester Hailes.
• Positively and proactively represent WHALE Arts at local and citywide networks and events.
Financial Management
• Set annual organisational budgets and monitor regularly with Finance Officer.
• Monitor all expenditure and income and ensure staff follow good financial practice.
• Oversee preparation of monthly management accounts and annual audited accounts.
Fundraising
• Secure funding to support the core work of the organisation, including tendering for contracts, establishing service level agreements and social enterprise development.
• Ensure funding objectives are met and good relationships with funders are developed and maintained.
• Support WHALE staff to secure and manage funding for projects and programming.
• Work with the Board to increase income from fundraising and donations.
People Management
• Manage staff team according to set policies and procedures.
• Ensure staff, Board and volunteers receive any necessary training, support and supervision.
• Coordinate team meetings and ensure effective team communication.
• Ensure policies and procedures are complied with and up to date, and develop new policies and procedures required.
Governance
• Recruit and support a voluntary Board of Directors.
• Attend and service all Board meetings and sub-group meetings (where required), preparing papers and reports and ensuring accurate Minutes are taken.
• Set up, attend and service Annual General Meeting and all other general meetings a set out in the Memorandum and Articles.
Reporting
• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of all WHALE Arts activity.
• Report on the impact of our work to a range of stakeholders.
• Develop the use of creative evaluation systems and ensure staff are trained and supported to use systems.
• Produce WHALE’s Annual Report and other reports required for OSCR, Companies House, funders and other stakeholders.
Facilities Management
• Ensure facilities management and working practices comply with Health and Safety, Data Protection, Employment and other relevant legislation.
• Maintain effective, efficient and environmental organisational practices.
Programming
• Oversee the development and delivery of a programme of regular and project activities in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
Marketing and PR
• Oversee the marketing of the organisation.
• Ensure website and social networking sites are regularly updated.
• Promote the work and maintain the profile of WHALE Arts Agency by attending conferences, making presentations, liaising with Press, Councillors, MSPs etc.
Other Duties
• To be a key holder, opening and securing the building out of office hours when required.
• To comply with relevant WHALE Arts Agency policies.
• To undertake any relevant training in relation to the post.
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may, from time-to-time, be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential Skills:
• Previous experience in a leadership role with an arts or third sector organisation, large scale project or similar.
• Experience and understanding of using arts to address community issues, particularly those faced by people living in areas of deprivation.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and to deliver related operational outcomes.
• Excellent financial management skills, managing budgets up to £350,000.
• Experience in successfully securing and managing funding from government, lottery, trusts and other sources.
• Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with public bodies, further education and other similar organisations.
• Collaborative leadership of multidiscipline teams.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience of monitoring, evaluation and evidencing impact to stakeholders.
Desirable Skills:
• Educated to degree level in arts, education, community work or other relevant qualification.
• Experience of managing a community and/or arts building.
• Knowledge of the arts and community arts sector in Edinburgh.
• An understanding of creative, community-led regeneration.
• Experience of social enterprise development.
• Knowledge of policy developments that impact on communities.
Application Process
Apply by email to info@whalearts.co.uk attaching:
• A covering letter demonstrating how your skills meet the Essential and Desirable criteria of the job description. Cover letters should be no more than 2 pages in length and written in Arial size 11 font.
• An up to date CV detailing relevant education and employment experience.
• Details of two referees, including at least one previous employer.
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring form.
Applications should arrive at WHALE Arts Agency no later than 12:00 (midday) on Monday 12th February.
Interviews will be held on the 22nd and 23rd February 2018.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the role subject to confirmation of PVG Scheme Membership.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
WHALE Arts Agency is committed to recruiting high quality candidates whose skills and experience are most suited to the job regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion (or beliefs), marital status, sexual orientation (or perceived sexual orientation), disability, age or political affiliation.
Please complete the Equal Opportunities form enclosed with the application pack. This information is for monitoring purposes only, will be treated as confidential and will not be used in the selection process.
Contact Details
Michelle Herron
Chairperson
WHALE Arts Agency
30 Westburn Grove
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA
0131 458 3267
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