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About the programme
Our award-winning ADF Board Shadowing Programme is a first of its kind initiative, taking place in arts organisations across the UK. This unique programme offers our ADF Members the exclusive opportunity to shadow a consortium of arts boards.
The programme won ADF the Innovation Award for The Stage Awards 2020.
The ADF Board Shadowing programme is designed to demystify the roles and responsibilities of the board, broker relationships with aspiring trustees and create an even playing field for near-future opportunities.
We recognise that every board varies in capacity, operation and style, therefore, our nine-month programme provides 8-10 Black, Asian, or Ethnically Diverse individuals with tangible experience at up to 6 arts venues/organisations to examine what type of board is right for them.
We partner with 3-10 theatre and live performance organisations across the UK, both members and non-members. The programme is open to any arts organisation interested in expanding their networks or diversifying their board.
What the Alumni say
“I dropped everything I was doing when I heard about Artistic Directors of the Future’s Board Shadowing opportunity. This will be a great chance to see the impact of strategic thinking within theatre. I look forward to going on this journey with the amazing companies opening up their doors, Complicité, ETT and Punchdrunk, as well as the fab team at ADF.”
– Eileen Bellot, ADF Member & Theatre Director
Watch interviews, read testimonials and see who made the board
Who is it for?
Mid-career creatives (arts and non-arts professionals i.e. career changers).
Closing date for applications
15th November 2021
Start with a Briefing Day
This is an opportunity to ask questions about the programme and your project proposal. It does not inform the decision-making process and attendance is optional. If you can’t make it, you can send any questions to the team.
Ready to apply?
Apply as an individual
This programme is exclusive for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse professionals with at least 3 years experience working in a creative role or management role within or outside of the arts. Equally someone with extensive experience working with communities is equally welcome. Fill in and upload the application form with your CV and profile picture to apply.
Become a Member
*This project is exclusive to Silver and Gold members. Join now or upgrade.
Apply as an organisation
If you are ready to sign up as a hosting organisation for the 2021-2022 Board Shadowing Programme please download and return the completed signup form. We will then be in contact within 5 working days with a copy of the contract.
If you are unable to attend one of the briefing days please request the recording as it is important to fully understand the commitment beforehand. Once the hosting partners have returned their contracts they will be invited to a meeting in October to discuss the next steps in more detail.
If you have any questions please contact us.
Accessibility
Access provision and reasonable adjustments will be made. We can provide Closed Captions for online activities with 2 working days’ notice and British Sign Language for online and in person activities with 3 weeks’ notice.
The booking form will give you the opportunity to describe any access needs you have.
Please email or call us with any questions.
Programme details
We partner with 3-10 theatre and live performance organisations across the UK, both members and non-members. The programme is open to any arts organisation interested in expanding their networks or diversifying their board. For the shadowers to experience a variety of organisational operations they will attend board meetings from at least two organisations. We advise the partners to host at least three shadowers at each board and sub-committee meeting.
This flexibility will ensure organisations have at least one attached shadower and two rotating shadowers at each meeting. A key element of the programme is for the organisations to schedule additional engagement opportunities.
The organisations take the lead on how they engage with the shadowers outside of the board meetings. By the end of the programme each shadower will have attended board meetings for at least two organisations and engaged with all the hosting organisations at some point during the programme.
The Application Process
- Partner Meeting
Once we have confirmed the hosting organisations we meet with the hosting organisations as a group to discuss the next steps of the Board Shadowing Programme in more detail. - Online Briefing Day
This an opportunity to meet the hosting organisations and ask questions about the application process and the programme. The briefing day does not inform the decision-making process. - Applications for Shadowing Placements
Applicants fill in a short application form, submit their CV, profile picture and an equal opportunities form. ADF shortlists the applicants for the interview. - Interviews
Interviews are held over 3 days in London and/or online. Each organisation attends at least one interview day and they are involved in the selection process.
Programme outline
- Induction & Meet the Team Days
We will start with an induction day which includes training for the shadowers and the chance for organisations and shadowers to get to know each other. The organisations will also schedule a Meet the Team day, using a format created by ADF. - Diversifying Arts Boards Workshop
The organisations attend a 4-week (one day per week) Diversifying Arts Boards workshop, in which they will engage in discussions, talks, peer to peer learning, and action-planning activities. - Shadowing Placements
The shadowers attend board meetings, sub-committee meetings and other selected activities over a 9 month period. Towards the end of the programme ADF hosts a Fantasy Board day, in which the organisations will have the opportunity to see the shadowers flex their decision-making skills.The programme ends with a networking day in London.
