Volunteer roles for the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector

Are you inspired by creativity and the power of stories? Do you want to shape the future of a nationally significant cultural charity? If so, you could become a trustee at the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre!

Why this role matters

Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in ensuring the Museum fulfils its charitable purpose, uses resources wisely, and remains sustainable for future generations. Trustees provide strategic oversight, ensure good governance, and support the long-term vision of the organisation.

We are at the start of an exciting five-year transformation programme to strengthen our impact, grow visitor engagement, and deliver a major capital redevelopment project: “Unlocking Stories at the Roald Dahl Museum”. Trustees will play a pivotal role in guiding the Museum through this important period of change, growth, and opportunity.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking people who want to make a meaningful, strategic contribution and help shape the future direction of the Museum. Trustees work collaboratively to guide strategy, support ambitious plans, and ensure the organisation thrives creatively, financially, and operationally.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Human Resources – to shape our people strategy, leadership development, and organisational culture.
• Finance – to shape our financial strategy through a major capital project and to ensure the museum thrives long-term (ideally this trustee will be a qualified accountant).
• Fundraising – to grow income and support the delivery of our redevelopment and future sustainability.
• Partnerships – to encourage the development of strategic partnerships nationally and internationally.

You do not need previous trustee experience, nor do you need to have worked in a museum or cultural organisation. We welcome first-time trustees and are looking for people with good judgement, strategic thinking skills, and a collaborative approach. All reasonable expenses are covered.

Time commitment and terms

• Trustees typically contribute around one working day per month, including Board meetings and participation in at least one committee (Finance, Governance, Fundraising, or Capital Project Committee).
• Trustees are appointed for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for a second term.
• This is a voluntary, unpaid role, but all reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed, including childcare.

Trustees receive a full induction, mentoring, and clear briefing materials, allowing them to focus on strategic oversight rather than operational detail. The Museum encourages and covers the cost of relevant training to support Trustees in their role

Serving as a trustee offers the opportunity to:

• Shape the future of a unique cultural institution with national significance.
• Contribute to an ambitious capital redevelopment and transformation programme.
• Apply your professional expertise in a high-impact, generative leadership role.
• Collaborate with motivated colleagues who share a passion for creativity, heritage, and learning.

Application timeline

• Application closing date = Noon, 20 April 2026
• Interviews at the Museum = 21 May 2026
• Board meeting observation for preferred candidates: Board meeting anticipated to be on 18 June 2026 at the Museum

Summary

Hawkwood is a dynamic charity working at the intersection of creativity, education and the environment - an organisation that does everything from hosting residencies for the UK’s most significant cultural organisations, to curating future thinking courses and events, to hosting the much-loved community farm on site.  We have a big vision with exciting plans for the future and we’re looking for Trustees to join a solid board with an ambitious strategy.  We are looking for up to three Trustees who have particular expertise in arts and culture, and/or education, and/or sustainability, as well as marketing and fundraising. We are also looking for a collaborative style to ensure a supportive Board culture.

 Job Description

 This is a voluntary role. As a Trustee, you will share Hawkwood’s commitment to education, the environment, and the arts. You will provide Hawkwood with leadership and ensure it is governed appropriately. You will need to develop a good understanding of all we do in order to support the charity. The role of a Trustee at Hawkwood requires a commitment of time and engagement with the activities of Hawkwood.

 Job Requirements

Being a Trustee requires a commitment of time for both formal and informal engagements. You will be required to attend 4 quarterly board meetings at Hawkwood each year. The Trustees may also take on additional advocacy roles relevant to their specific skills or knowledge area which will require additional commitment outside of the meeting cycle. Prior trustee experience is not required.

 Job Responsibilities

 As a Trustee you will need to ensure that Hawkwood is carrying out its purpose for public benefit. You will ensure that in all interactions you act in Hawkwood’s best interests and that Hawkwood’s resources are managed responsibly.

Exeter City of Literature is currently seeking to appoint two trustees with skills in Finance and Business Development. We’re looking for culturally ambitious individuals with diverse lived experience who have a passion for increasing high-quality literary & storytelling activities in Exeter and Devon.

We have a new mission, vision, and aims that we want your help in executing as a Board member. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to contribute to the cultural ecology in a UNESCO Creative City at a time of significant opportunity, both for Devon and for the Exeter UNESCO City of Literature office. We seek Trustees who can bring new perspectives and diverse lived experience to our team, and who share our vision for everyone to love stories and storytelling.

The specific areas of expertise we’re looking to fill are:

• Finance - able to read and understand management accounts; spot risks; support strategic financial planning; and understand reserves policies, restricted, and unrestricted funds.

• Business Development - particularly around IP, capital projects, real estate and development, and/or organisational growth.

In these new appointments, we are seeking candidates who will have:

• A strong understanding of, and commitment to, the values of Exeter City of Literature and UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals
• A passion for increasing readership and increasing highquality literary & storytelling activities in Exeter and Devon
• Strong networks within various sectors/communities in Exeter, Devon, and nationwide
• Clear, strategic thinking
• Rational and empathy-driven judgement
• An ability to communicate proactively and think creatively

We warmly welcome applications from those new to Board work as well as individuals with a proven track record in trustee roles.

Complete your application with your CV and a statement (either a cover letter of up to two pages, or a 3-5-minute video/audio file) explaining why you would like to become a Trustee, including what skills and expertise you would bring to Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, by Sunday 22nd March.

Interviews will take place online the week of 13th-17th April.

Eastside seeks expressions of interest from prospective trustees who believe that they can make a significant and positive contribution to the organisation as we enter our 4th decade of delivery.

Remuneration: This is a pro bono role. Domestic travel expenses will be covered and reimbursed where required.

Reports to: Chair of the Trustees

Key Relationships With: Trustees, CEO / Artistic Director, Eastside Team, Key Stakeholders and Partners

Term of Appointment:  3 years +

Location: Eastside’s office on Hackney Road, E2 7NX, with occasional project visits across London and annual away day

Role Specification

Eastside is seeking Trustees to provide guidance and support for the CEO and senior executive team as well as expertise to the Board of Trustees. The organisation is in a strong position going into 2026 and is set on significant growth and expansion, aiming to maximise the opportunities created by recent successes; these include outstanding results on our national projects:  Creativity Live   (streaming live creativity workshops into schools and classrooms across the UK); SPOKEN WORD POWER (which has engaged and captured the voices of thousands of young people from deprived neighbourhoods across the country); sell out West End Gala fundraising nights (APRIL FOOLERY) and a national lottery heritage fund supported 30th anniversary project.

The Trustees will support the team in delivering exciting new projects across the creative arts, with particular focus on spoken-word poetry, the dramatic arts and film/digital media programmes. The Trust's work in schools is expanding and, while London remains a priority, there are clear plans to bring Eastside's offering to a national and international audience.

Person Specification

Eastside is looking for individuals who are passionate about its work with children and young people, and its mission to transform educational provision and learning experiences across the capital city and beyond through the application of art, culture and creativity.  Applicants will have strong professional experience and networks, as well as stakeholder, funder and partner leverage.

Trustees will advise on how to reach wider audiences, grow corporate partnerships and provide support for Eastside's educational programmes.  We particularly encourage applications from those representing diverse backgrounds and those with relevant lived experience. Experience at a senior level within the Arts/Youth Fundraising and Philanthropy sectors, Digital or creative arts (particularly film, TV and theatre), Legal, Education and Facilities management sectors (with revenue generation experience) would be welcome.

We welcome candidates who have experience of fundraising, either for a non-profit or a commercial organisation. Those without direct experience but who have good connections to high-net-worth individuals, grant-giving Trusts & Foundations or Corporate/Family Foundations are also highly encouraged to apply.

In addition to attending Board meetings, it is hoped that Trustees will attend Eastside projects where possible to engage with the creative delivery and the organisation's artists, advocate for its work within their own professional and personal networks, and promote individual and company-wide fundraising initiatives. Sitting on a trustee board requires the ability to take a more advisory approach than in executive roles. If you have not previously held any trustee or non-executive positions, you should demonstrate a track record of influencing the direction of your organisation at board level. If you already have significant trustee or non-executive experience, please detail this.

Firstsite is seeking new Trustees to join our Board.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the leadership of one of the UK’s most distinctive contemporary art galleries at an important moment in its development.

We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in:

• Fundraising or philanthropy 
• Commercial business or entrepreneurship 
• Digital or technology 
• Arts and culture 
• Property or capital projects 
• Civic leadership 

We welcome applications from first‑time Trustees and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board.

Trustees support the organisation’s strategic direction and act as ambassadors for Firstsite

We are now at a particularly exciting moment. Following multi-year funding from Creative Scotland and the success of productions such as Small Town Boys, we are looking ahead to our next phase of growth with confidence and ambition. This is a wonderful time to step into the role of Chair and help shape what comes next.

As Chair, you will lead a committed and thoughtful board, working closely with our artistic and executive leadership to set strategic direction, champion our values, and ensure the organisation continues to flourish. You will be an advocate for dance, for Dundee and for the artists and communities we serve. Your ability to build strong relationships, communicate clearly and create a supportive, well-governed environment will be central to our continued success.

It is a role with responsibility and also with enormous reward.

We run creative programmes, workshops and performances that are inclusive and accessible. We nurture talent and provide opportunities for people to develop their creative practice and skills. We create high- quality productions that tour throughout Scotland and the UK.

Our work is inspired by stories and ideas from the people and communities we work with in Dundee and beyond.

We would be delighted to hear from you and to learn how your experience, perspective and passion could help lead Shaper/Caper into its next chapter.

Having joined the National Portfolio of Organisations funded by Arts Council England in 2023, Festival of Thrift is in the process of transitioning from a successful annual festival celebrating sustainable living each year, to a vibrant and multi-faceted arts and sustainability organisation.

We are looking for people to support this work who are passionate about sustainability, champions of our local communities and interested in how arts and culture can benefit people’s lives. We are especially keen to encourage applications from people involved in sustainable businesses in the Tees Valley area and from young people (aged 18+), to offer their ideas to support the organisation.

In addition, we are looking for a Chair of the Board. The Chair leads the Board, ensuring that it governs the organisation effectively, in service of the organisation’s vision and mission, and works with the executive team to ensure smooth running of the Board.

Being a Board member with Festival of Thrift is a great way of using your energy, skills and experience to support your local community, the arts and the environment. You don’t need to have any specific qualifications to join a board, just a willingness to listen, support and challenge the organisation in a positive way. It can also help enhance your own skills, seeing how an organisation works from the inside and adding to your CV.

You do not need previous director experience. We value your perspective and we’ll support you to learn the rest.

We are keen to encourage applications covering a range of skills but are particularly interested in people with knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Connection to the local community, its strengths and challenges

• Fundraising and commercial income generation

• Tees Valley business networks

• Leadership in arts & cultural organisations (National Portfolio)

• Environmental promotion, activities and campaigning

• Financial management

• Marketing and communications, including PR

We particularly welcome candidates for this role from people who are currently underrepresented within the UK arts sector including those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, people from the Global Majority, people who are disabled and neurodivergent. We are especially keen to encourage applications from people involved in sustainable businesses in the Tees Valley area and from young people (aged 18+), to bring a fresh perspective into the organisation.

Key dates

• Informal information session – 6pm – 6.45pm on Monday 16 March (over Zoom)

• Application Deadline – 9am on Monday 13 April 

Time Commitment:

• Four Board meetings per year (two in person, two remote).
• Additional flexible, primarily remote support to trustees and museum staff.

Term: Up to four years.

Help Shape the Future of a Nationally Significant Regimental Museum

HorsePower, The Museum of The King’s Royal Hussars, is entering a pivotal and exciting new chapter. With a bold five-year strategy underway, the Museum is reimagining how over 300 years of regimental history is interpreted and shared, creating a “Museum of the Future” that is engaging, relevant and accessible to new and diverse audiences.

To support this transformation, we are seeking a Brand and Communications Trustee with the vision, experience and creativity to help elevate the Museum’s profile, sharpen its voice and strengthen its impact.

This is a high-impact voluntary role at board level, offering the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to a distinctive heritage organisation at a moment of real change.

About HorsePower

Located at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester, HorsePower tells the story of The King’s Royal Hussars from 1715 to the present day, spanning India, Waterloo, the World Wars and modern conflict. The Museum cares for a rich and nationally important collection, including unique archives, uniforms, medals and personal stories.

As part of its new strategic plan, the Museum is focused on increasing relevance, reach and resilience, broadening audiences, strengthening income streams and establishing itself as one of the most vibrant and accessible small military museums in the South of England.

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees are the custodians of the Regiment’s heritage and the long-term stewards of the Museum. All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and bring a wide range of senior-level experience, including strategic leadership, operations, finance, HR, legal, commercial and military expertise.

As the Museum moves into its next phase, the Board recognises that strategic brand and communications leadership is essential to delivering its ambitions, and this is where you come in.

The Role

This is a newly created role with real scope to influence both strategy and delivery. Working closely with the Chair, the Strategy Working Group and the Assistant Curator (Marketing and Communications), you will help shape how the Museum presents itself to the world. Key areas of focus include:

• Developing clear and inspiring brand guidelines that bring coherence and confidence to the Museum’s identity, rooted in its values and regimental heritage
• Identifying and articulating the Museum’s unique differentiators, ensuring it stands out in a competitive cultural and heritage landscape
• Leading the development of a Strategic Communications Plan, with a compelling narrative that supports audience growth, partnerships and fundraising
• Supporting the creation and delivery of a Marketing and Communications Plan to raise profile, increase footfall and broaden engagement
• Acting as a trusted advisor to trustees and staff on communications, messaging and brand-related decision-making

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building something of lasting value and making a tangible difference in a small, ambitious organisation.

About You

Essential:

• Proven experience in branding, marketing or communications at a strategic level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear. persuasive narratives
• Confidence working collaboratively with trustees, senior stakeholders and professional staff.

Desirable:

• Experience in museums, heritage, culture or the not-for-profit sector.
• An interest in military history or storytelling.
• A creative, entrepreneurial mindset, particularly in relation to audience development and income generation.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate relevant transferable skills gained through professional or life experience.

Why Join Us?

• A rare opportunity to help shape a museum redevelopment from the ground up.
• A meaningful trustee role where your expertise will have visible, lasting impact.
• The chance to work with a committed Board and passionate staff team.
• The satisfaction of contributing your skills to a nationally significant heritage cause.

Closing date: 25 March 2026
Interviews: Late March/early April 2026

HorsePower is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. 

Margate Creative Land Trust is at an exciting point in its development, having acquired a large site at Harold Road, Cliftonville and most recently Grosvenor Place, Margate. These spaces will be refurbished to provide fit for purpose creative space for a diverse range of creative businesses and practices. As we grow as an organisation, we also need to have the right skills and experience on our board of trustees, to help steer things in the right direction.

Trustees oversee the strategy and governance of Margate Creative Land Trust, they provide advice and guidance and act as a sounding board to the Executive (staff) team. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants with experience in Finance, Organisational Management, Regeneration programmes, Workspace and estate management, and HR/personnel.

We are committed to social justice and tackling the under-representation on charity boards of people from the global majority, including those of African diaspora heritage, South and East Asian heritage, mixed heritage, those who have faced socio-economic barriers, those who identify as LGBTQ+, and disabled people.

If you are interested in joining us and are from or have strong connections to Margate/Kent, we are keen to hear from you.

Deadline for submission: Midnight, Thursday 26th March 2026

Exeter City of Literature exists to celebrate and support literary heritage and activity, locally and globally. We work across Devon on a variety of bookish projects that help to make everyone love stories and storytelling.

We have a variety of opportunities throughout the year from helping at our largest annual event - The Book Market in June - to participating in Book Fairies and our Silent Book Club events.

The Lisa Ullmann Travelling Scholarship Fund (LUTSF) is seeking new board members to support the next phase of its development. Established in 1987 in memory of dance pioneer Lisa Ullmann, the charity exists to enable individuals working in dance and movement to travel internationally in order to deepen their practice, learn new approaches, and contribute to creative and cultural exchange. LUTSF awards small scholarships annually and operates as a UK‑registered charity (no. 1203903).

Board members meet twice per year in central London to review applications, discuss strategy, and agree on scholarship awards. Meetings are scheduled well in advance and take into account members’ availability. These are voluntary, unpaid roles, though reasonable expenses are reimbursed. Prior experience serving on a board is not required; LUTSF provides a full induction, training, and ongoing support for all new board members.

The charity welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and is particularly interested in people with experience in marketing, communications, or fundraising. LUTSF is committed to promoting equality, championing diversity, and challenging discrimination across all areas of its work.

Board members help shape the charity’s strategic direction. They play an active role in decision‑making around scholarships, support working groups, and advocate for the organisation externally. Strong communication skills, collaborative working, and a commitment to LUTSF’s mission are essential qualities for all board members.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Those interested can access further details via the Board Recruitment Pack on our website, or request information in alternative formats by email. LUTSF also welcomes informal conversations with anyone considering applying.

Job Description

We are seeking a Finance Trustee to join our Board. The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in Financial matters. This application process is rolling, meaning there is no deadline - so please enquire and apply sooner rather than later! We anticipate the process will conclude in mid-2026.

Who are we?

We are a disability-led arts organisation which works to improve access to culture for disabled people by providing opportunities for disabled creatives, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through running participatory arts and development programmes.

Our programmes have run for fifty years, supporting disabled creatives and those facing disabling barriers to creative careers or audience participation. Our current programme finds us opening new avenues for disabled creatives through commissioning, exhibitions, and learning-based support such as residencies, advice, and guidance.

We continue to break new ground in digital spheres and advocating for disabled people struggling to access the arts and creative industries through our consultancy services.

We work across three main areas:

1. A creative programme, working directly with disabled creatives
2. Heritage projects, documenting the social history of disabled people
3. Access consultancy, including training and auditing

We receive funding from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund to support our creative programme and heritage projects.

We are recruiting disabled and non-disabled voluntary Board members. As a member of our Board, you will gain an insight to how the arts and cultural industries in the UK work. From lived experience to professional experience, we are looking for people from all backgrounds who are passionate about the arts and its potential to change disabled people's lives to join our Board.

Please read or listen to all guidance on our site before applying!

Job Requirements

The Board and Shape's Executive Team meet four times a year - once every three months. Each meeting takes up about half a day.

In addition, Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the yearly Away Day, both of which happen once per year.

The main responsibilities of any Charity Trustee are outlined by the Charity Commission. You can browse their '5-minute guides' for Trustees on their website.

The Nolan Principles of Public Life set the standards for how our trustees are expected to conduct themselves. These are:

• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership

You can read more about these principles on the UK Government's website.

Job Responsibilities

Our team of Trustees are responsible for ensuring that:

• Shape complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and that it pursues only the objectives which are defined in it
• Shape complies with charity law, employment law and other relevant legislation or regulations
• Shape is financially viable
• the Board is defining goals and setting targets for the organisation, and that performance is evaluated against these targets
• Shape's ethos and reputation are safeguarded
• Administration is effective and efficient and we are accountable to our stakeholders and funders

The Board are also responsible for:

• Contributing to the Board's role in giving firm strategic direction
• Appointing the Chief Executive and monitoring their performance
• Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels, as required
• Attending either the Finance, HR and Risk, or Programme and Development Sub Committees

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

We are delighted to be partnering with Activate Performing Arts (Activate), 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. Keen to continue its evolution while staying true to Activate’s core values, the organisation stands at a pivotal moment for growth and development.

Activate is now seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead the Board and support the Artistic & Executive Director in guiding the organisation through the next phase of its development. In this role you will play a key role in shaping the upcoming 3–5-year strategy, supporting Activate prepare for its next Arts Council England National Portfolio application. As Chair, you will also act as an ambassador for Activate through opening networks, championing its work, and supporting the organisation to enhance its visibility and impact.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• Prior experience as a charity trustee, ideally as Chair, Vice-Chair or committee Chair, with a solid grasp of good governance and Boards.
• Alignment with Activate’s values around free and low-cost access, landscape and nature, equity, diversity and inclusion, and environmental responsibility, with enthusiasm for thoughtful values-led innovation rather than pure commercialisation.
• Fundraising mentality with an understanding of the funding landscape
• A passion and affinity to the arts and culture sector, ideally including performing arts, festivals, arts within landscape or environmental contexts, including nature-based creativity, outdoor arts.
• Confident, inclusive chairing skills, able to bring out quieter voices, hold respectful but robust discussions, and ensure meaningful contribution from all trustees.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your expression of interest should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and a supporting statement.

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.

Contract & Hours: 3-year term (renewable)

Remuneration: Voluntary (expenses reimbursed)

Location: Hybrid, with some travel to Dorset for key meetings and events

Closing date: 25th March 2026

Interviews with Activate: w/c 13th April onwards

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by 2nd April prior to shortlist submission on 3rd April.

We are committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments, please confirm in your application, or contact our Operations Teams separately

Since 1988, Autograph has been shaping a more inclusive future in the visual arts and beyond. We champion artists who explore race, representation, human rights and social justice through photography. Autograph’s work ensures these stories are seen and celebrated, deepening understanding of ourselves and others.

Autograph is looking for trustees to help us plan strategically so that we can amplify the local and global reach of our artists’ projects and engage as many people as possible with our mission. Trustees hold a key role in helping us to realise social change through supporting us to deliver our mission and guiding our strategic development. You would have the opportunity to meet artists, participants and partners, join events, attend exhibition launches, get to know our collection of photography, and engage with selected projects if you want to.

Do you have any of the following?

• Higher Education leadership experience in visual arts in the UK and internationally delivering multi-partner research projects.
• Legal experience in the field of civil law/human rights.
• Strategic experience in fundraising, cultivating and securing donors and patrons for arts projects.
• Financial expertise and knowledge of charitable regulation either in the arts sector or the wider charity sector.
• Knowledge and experience of property development.

And a very strong commitment to social justice and inclusion? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Voluntary
This is an unpaid, voluntary role

Term Length
Term of 4 years, with possibility of renewal

Board Meetings
Four meetings each year: two online and two at Autograph

Read more about what a charity Trustee does, the role at Autograph, and download the recruitment pack on our website.