Stanley Arts is one of South London’s premiere arts and performance venues, providing a vital home for cultural expression and discovery. As a radically inclusive space, the charity seeks to foreground under-represented voices and Stanley Arts prides itself in providing artists of colour and LGBTQ+ creatives with a platform to reach audiences across South London and beyond.

Previously known as Stanley Halls, Stanley Arts is housed in an historic building beloved by the wider community. First built in 1903, over the next 120 years the space has undergone multiple transformations and new beginnings, and has been a place for education, performance, and exhibitions. In 2015, the buildings were leased to the newly-formed Stanley People’s Initiative, a charity established to save this part of the historic Stanley Halls complex, and hopefully to find a new use for this extraordinary set of buildings. The pandemic of 2020 helped to re-establish the Stanley Arts in the hearts and minds of local people as an essential home for art, performance and community. This new purpose represents a return to the original intention of William Stanley. In 1901, he had conceived the idea of building a local home for entertainment, art and culture, and nearly 120 years later his vision has been renewed.

Stanley Arts is now a multidisciplinary venue which welcomes all audiences and all artists but is particularly open to communities that have previously been excluded from traditional creative spaces. The charity's artistic family includes the widest range of artists working in dance, music, theatre, performance, visual arts, and crafts. Stanley Arts actively seeks to give emerging artists across all these art forms the opportunity to grow through innovation, collaboration and participation. The organisation is at an exciting stage in its journey having been awarded funding as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) for 2023-2026, and is planning to scale existing artistic programming and establish new initiatives, including a significant capital works programme.

The new Chair will be responsible for working with Board Members and the senior leadership team to meet the challenges of this new world and ensure that Stanley Arts continues to play an important and growing role in the communities – both local and those of choice - it serves.

The Chair will:

• Act in the best interests of Stanley Arts, operating within the law and according to the governing documents of the organisation, as well as abiding by its policies and procedures
• Support the objects and mission of Stanley Arts
• Be an active leader of and spokesperson for the Board, as well as a champion and representative of the organisation with stakeholders, a manager and mentor for senior management, and a liaison and support for colleagues within the organisation  
• Spearhead external partnerships efforts and support the community-led nature of Stanley Arts

The Chair’s key responsibilities are to:

• Ensure that the necessary structures are in place to deliver on Stanley Arts’ vision, mission and strategic direction, and lead the board in providing oversight of the management of the charity
• Hold the senior leadership team to account for the performance of Stanley Arts
• Ensure that Stanley Arts complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
• Ensure that the organisation's governance is of the highest possible standard
• Engage with external stakeholders and draw on their larger network as needed

Stanley Arts is looking for a Chair who can provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, taking forward its vision and strategy; building on its social purpose to engage with the communities it serves. The successful candidate will bring strategic insights to the role. They will be able to use their experience to support Stanley Arts, leveraging their own networks and developing new ones for the charity’s benefit.

Experience working in the arts sector in any capacity or medium is desired for this role, particularly those bringing a background in external stakeholder engagement. However, Stanley Arts is also keen to hear from those with a broader interest in the arts and who are passionate about its mission. It is hoped that applicants will be familiar with Croydon or at least willing to engage and become familiar with the area and its community.

The new Chair will possess an enthusiasm for, and understanding of, the work of Stanley Arts and an undertaking to remain well-informed about the work of the organisation. They will be able to work in a collegial manner, dealing openly with the senior team and other members of the Board, whether in matters of confidentiality or conflict.

The successful candidate will be not afraid to speak their mind and bring strategic thought to guiding the Board where appropriate. The Board is also open to considering those for whom this would be their first non-executive appointment.

Cameron McLeod, Chair

Richard Coopey, Vice Chair

Alex Green, Secretary

Sharon Ballard

Sabrina D’Anjou

Claire Evans

Kimberley Thomas

Graham Whitlock

EM Williams

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Chair is appointed for a three-year term, which is renewable once.

Stanley Arts is located in Croydon. Board meetings are currently held in a hybrid format. Time commitment is estimated c. 15 days annually, including six Board meetings, in-person events, and further ad hoc support.

Stanley Arts welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, socio-economic background or disability. As individuals from global majority backgrounds are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.