East Street Arts is recruiting a Chair of the Board of Trustees

Are you an experienced board leader looking to make a lasting contribution to artists, communities and the wider cultural sector? East Street Arts is recruiting an experienced Chair to lead our Board of Trustees through an exciting new phase of growth, including a capital project in Keighley.

East Street Arts is a visual arts organisation and registered charity based in Leeds, working nationally to support artists to develop resilient and sustainable practices. Founded in 1993, we are one of the UK’s leading artist-led organisations.

Working closely with our Executive Director, Artistic Director and Board of Trustees, the Chair provides strategic leadership, chairs Board meetings and our annual strategy day, and fosters an inclusive, effective Board culture. The Chair supports and constructively challenges the Executive Team, promotes good governance, champions equality, diversity and inclusion, and helps with fundraising and partnership development.

We are looking for significant Board-level or senior governance experience, including chairing boards, committees or equivalent senior groups, alongside strategic leadership and financial oversight experience. Experience of charity leadership, capital or property projects, or publicly funded arts and cultural organisations would be an advantage. We welcome applications from people from a broad range of backgrounds, including people currently underrepresented within arts leadership and charity governance.

The Board meets four times a year, alongside an annual strategy day, and the Chair commits approximately 10 to 12 days a year beyond this. This is a voluntary position, and reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Closing date: 30 November 2026

Further information

Recruitment pack:
https://eaststreetarts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Chair-Trustee.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1792220868498000&sa=E

Full details and how to apply:
https://eaststreetarts.org.uk/job/become-chair-of-the-board-of-trustees-at-east-street-arts/&source=gmail&ust=1792220868498000&sa=E

Contact

For any questions, or to request an adjustment to the application process, please email recruitment@esamail.org.uk