Reflections on the Associate Board Member Programme

Since our inaugural 12-month programme for Associate Board Members came to a close in July, we’ve been reflecting on the experience with our ABM’s Jessica Straker and Savena Surana and the wider AND team and Board. The programme begins an exploration of how AND’s innovative approach can be applied to governance and leadership to support individuals who are currently under-represented in the cultural sector and add further diversity and richness of perspective to the organisation.

Jessica and Savena worked alongside the AND Board of Trustees over the year to develop skills and gain board-level experience. This bespoke and responsive programme involved attendance at Board Meetings and sub groups alongside relevant shadowing and training opportunities in line with specific areas of interest.

Each brought insight, energy and expertise to the board, and helped galvanise fresh approaches and ideas during a period of change for the organisation. Trustee Sam Bompas worked closely with Jessica and Savena and guided the programme on behalf of the Board reflects:

‘With less than 3% of trustees in the UK being under 30 there is a crucial need to look at ways arts organisations reflect the needs and interests of both current and future stakeholders. On a personal level I learnt a lot from collaborating with Savena and Jess. By thinking about what would be most helpful for the Associate Board Member programme, I considered my relationship with the organisation and how I can best serve it. One of the great pleasures of the program was working with all the participants to refine and develop as we progressed. There was mutual learning with a focus on how we could improve the program and how this would benefit future participants and the organisation. This was particularly inspiring. Our hope is to share our insights with other organisations.’

AND will be running the Associate Board Programme again in 2025, building on the learning from this first iteration. You can hear more about the programme from ABM Savena Surana as she reflects on her time as an Associate Board Member and the future of arts governance.

Image: Celestial Frequencies, Daita Manabe for COSMOS 2017. Credit Scott Salt