Deadline: Monday 19 May, 10am
Independent Chair: Everyone Here Consortium
About the Role
We are seeking an exceptional individual with a deep passion for using culture as a catalyst for positive change in our area. This is an exciting moment of transformation for our organisation, and we are looking for someone who can contribute fresh thinking, strategic insight, and diplomatic skill to help shape our future.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in opening doors to new opportunities, forging meaningful partnerships, supporting the development of future governance structures, and helping to establish a resilient and dynamic operational model.
This is a voluntary position, initially offered for a three-year term with a review after the first 12 months. We anticipate a time commitment of approximately 1.5 days per month. All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. We’re confident this role will offer significant professional fulfilment and a unique opportunity to contribute to an ambitious cultural programme in West Cumbria.
Background
Everyone Here adopts an action research model that both informs the national Creative People and Places (CPP) programme and responds directly to its core research questions:
- Are more people from places of least engagement experiencing and inspired by arts and culture?
- To what extent was the aspiration for excellence—both in artistic outcomes and in the process of engaging communities—achieved?
- Which approaches proved successful, and what lessons were learned?
Over the past three years, we have worked alongside communities across West Cumbria and in close collaboration with our consortium partners to establish a clear and meaningful role for Everyone Here in the region. Our work has also gained national recognition, particularly for the pioneering Jury for Joy initiative.
We engage individuals with little or no previous connection to the traditionally subsidised arts sector, working together to shape the fabric of a future cultural landscape in West Cumbria—one that draws on the area’s rich assets of environment, heritage, and community.
Everyone Here is part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme and is currently hosted by ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) until April 2026. We aim to transition to an independent CIC, Everywhere Everyone Everything, and are currently in the assessment process for CPP funding for the 2026–2029 period.
Our Consortium Steering Group includes:
- Cumberland Council
- ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT)
- Rosehill Theatre
- Theatre by the Lake
- West House
- Lakes College
- Florence Arts Centre
- Everywhere Everything Everyone
The Role Will Involve:
- Chairing four quarterly Consortium Steering Group meetings per year
- Collaborating with the leadership team to plan meeting agendas and support reporting requirements
- Attending occasional additional meetings and events on behalf of the organisation
- Acting as an advocate for our work – using your networks and connections to build and nurture new relationships
- Supporting the senior staff team to address key strategic challenges and guide the organisation towards its full potential
- Contributing to the review and development of the consortium’s partnership agreements and terms of reference
- Ensuring active and meaningful engagement from consortium members, with a strong presence of community voice in meetings and decision-making
- Providing impartial and independent judgment and strategic insight as a critical friend to both the consortium and the leadership team
- Supporting robust conflict of interest oversight process
- Ensuring Everyone Here continues to meet the conditions and expectations of its funders
We Are Looking for Someone With:
- Significant senior leadership experience in a sector relevant to our work – such as health, economic regeneration, housing, architecture and the built environment, culture, politics, local government, environment, or community development
- An understanding of and commitment to working within non-metropolitan and rural geographies
- A strong interest in arts, culture, and community-led development
- Proven experience in working with and empowering communities
- Well-established personal and professional networks
- Previous experience chairing or serving on boards or steering groups
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on ensuring representation and amplifying marginalised voices
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who live in West Cumbria.
To apply:
Please complete and return the below application form along with a CV to Jamie Walsh jamie@everyonehere.org
We also accept these as sound or video files.
If you would like an informal chat prior to applying please contact:
Lorrainne Smyth, ACTion with Communities in Cumbria CEO – lorrainnesmyth@cumbriaaction.org.uk
If you would like to discuss any access requirements you may have, you can email:
Unique Spencer, Director of Access – unique@everyonehere.org
Deadline for applications is Monday 19 May 2025, 10am
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a consortium meeting in w/c 2 June 2025
Interviews will take place w/c Monday 9 June 2025
Everyone Here is committed to reflecting and celebrating the diversity of our communities across West Cumbria in all aspects of our work and relationships including with artists, audiences, staff, board and partners. We especially welcome applications from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse individuals and people who identify as Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent.