No more short lived schemes. No more waiting for permission. No more waiting for a revolution. You’re UP NEXT.
UP NEXT is designed to hand over power and resources to visionary Black, Asian or ethnically diverse people within established theatre organisations. The initiative is a catalyst for progressive change within the organisations that participate in the programme and supports their leadership succession planning. In 2017 we launched Up Next: Artistic Directors in partnership with Bush Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre, which led to the appointment of Tarek Iskander, one of the Up Next participants, as the Artistic Director of Battersea Arts Centre in the same year he completed the programme.
This year, Artistic Directors of the Future has partnered with Strike A Light to deliver the second iteration of our leadership takeover initiative UP NEXT. One ADF member will work at Strike A Light, 4 days per week, as an Executive Director with coaching and training from the company and support from ADF to help them grow into the role. Applications open Monday 5th July from 6pm and close Monday 20th September 2021.
Strike A Light is a Gloucester-based organisation striving to make Gloucester a city with a vibrant culture for all. The organisation has welcomed thousands of audience members, supported dozens of performers and companies to create new shows and given hundreds of young people the chance to take part in arts activities – often for the first time. Strike A Light’s Executive Director, Christina Poulton, will hand over her role to a strategic and creative ADF member for one year. The ADF member will become Strike A Light’s part-time Up Next Executive Director and will work alongside the co-Artistic Directors, Emma-Jane Benning and Sarah Blowers, to implement changes and strategically plan for the company’s future. Visit their website here
Book An Applicant Briefing Day
This is an opportunity to ask questions about UP NEXT. It does not inform the decision-making process and attendance is optional. Alternatively, you can send questions to admin@adofthefuture.com
UP NEXT Briefing Day
Key Dates
- 29th June 2021 11am OR 1st July 2021 6.30pm: Application Briefing: Meet Strike A Light and ADF
- 5th July 2021: Applications open
- 20th September 2021: Applications close
- Wed 6th or Thu 7th Oct 2021: Interviews
- October/November 2021: Up Next Executive Director 12 month p/t contract
How to Apply
The project is open to members only. If you have not registered please do so before submitting your application here. Download the application pack, application form and the Equal Opportunities form. You can also attend the optional application briefing day; a short informative session and Q & A about the programme and an opportunity to meet Strike A Light’s senior staff. Attendance does not inform the decision-making process.
- Register as an ADF Member. Please note if you registered before before July 2019, before we had a registration form, you will need to re-register using our online form before your application will be considered. We have a free membership option. Click here to register If you are already a member skip to step 2.
2. Email the following documents to admin@adofthefuture.com for the attention of Sandra Thompson-Quartey:
- Application form
- CV
- Equal opportunities form
Up Next: Executive Directors in the subject heading and ensure you also attach Your CV and your profile picture
Please note you must be able to work in the UK to apply for this programme. Access provision and reasonable adjustments will be made available (both at interview and employment stages) for any candidates that require it. Please indicate any access requirements you have on the application form. If you require any part of the application process in an alternative format accessible to you, please contact admin@adofthefuture.com.
