Chair of Trustees

Chair of Trustees – arts leadership, strategic growth, inclusive governance, and cultural advocacy

• Terms: 3-year term, renewable 
• Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses reimbursed 
• Location: Hybrid, with some travel to Dorset for key meetings and events

Activate Performing Arts (Activate) is a 35-year-old arts charity that brings contemporary performance to communities and landscapes across Dorset, the UK and Europe. Activate is known for its free-to-access outdoor arts, festivals and touring work, driven by a belief in creativity as a public good, connecting people, place and artistic expression.

With a strong commitment to access, equity, environmental responsibility and artistic ambition, Activate is entering an important period of evolution. The organisation is looking ahead to its next phase of development, including shaping a new 3–5-year strategy and preparing for its next Arts Council England National Portfolio application.

Activate is now seeking a new Chair of Trustees to provide thoughtful, inclusive leadership to the Board and support the Artistic & Executive Director as the organisation builds on its achievements and strengthens its future direction. Working closely with the Artistic & Executive Director, trustees and wider stakeholders, the Chair will help ensure Activate remains creative, resilient, well-governed and ambitious in its impact.

As Chair, you will play a key role in guiding strategic discussion, supporting good governance, encouraging meaningful contribution from trustees and acting as an ambassador for Activate. You will champion the organisation’s work and support Activate to enhance its visibility, partnerships and long-term sustainability.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• Prior experience as a trustee, with a strong understanding of good governance and effective Boards
• Strong alignment with Activate’s values around free and low-cost access, equity, diversity and inclusion, landscape and nature, and environmental responsibility
• A strategic outlook and the ability to support values-led organisational development, growth and innovation
• A fundraising mindset and an understanding of the wider funding landscape
• A passion for the arts, ideally the performing arts, festivals, outdoor arts, landscape-based practice or nature-based creativity

Please see the candidate pack for full details.

For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Closing date: 25 August 2026

Charisma vetting interviews will be completed on an ongoing basis.

Interviews with Activate: September 2026

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other category protected by law.

Charisma is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments, please confirm in your application.