Opportunity: Associate Board Director

If you are an ambitious young Arts Professional who would like an opportunity to learn how major opera and music companies operate from the inside….read on.

Buxton International Festival has been described in New York’s Metropolitan Opera House magazine as “one of Europe’s great little unmissable opera Festivals”; it also enjoys the reputation of being the least pretentious! Last year, 2019, it celebrated its 40th anniversary, and won the UK theatre award for Opera with its first wholly new commission, a pasticcio on the life of Georgiana, the naughty Duchess of Devonshire.

BIF, as it’s known, attracts audiences from all over Britain and increasingly abroad. It is three Festivals in one; to fund two or three new productions of less often performed operas with international casts and production teams costs a small fortune; ticket sales cover less than 50% on a good year; to help plug the gap BIF also runs a major literary Festival with c. 50 well known authors presenting their latest books and a major music series with celebrated and often international chamber ensembles, soloists etc.

These delights are all packed into 17 or more days every July…though not in 2020. Covid 19 has shut us down but we are fit and well ahead with planning for 2021.

BIF is registered as a charity but also a commercial company. It is governed by a Board of 7+ Directors/Trustees all details can be found on the BIF web site. BIF is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.

The Opportunity Two years ago BIF appointed its first young Associate Director. This position is treated in all respects as a full director of the company but is not registered as a full director or trustee and has no voting rights. Being responsible for running an Opera Festival is a financial and reputational risk and the Board of BIF does not think it fair to burden a younger, inexperienced colleague with that responsibility. We do, however, want a younger person’s perspective and the person appointed is treated in every other resect as a full Board member, invited to play a full and vocal part in proceedings and privy to all information.

The first to be appointed was opera director, Mark Burns. Mark trained at the RNCM. He works regularly with the Royal Opera, Glynebourne, Opera North and many others. He is regarded as one of the most talented young up and coming directors. He is passionate about education and is artistic direct of Opera Box producing operas with small casts.

This is what he has to say: ‘Having spent the past two years as an Associate Board Director at the Festival I’ve been able to build an understanding of how high level arts management works. From the financials to marketing and development, all aspects of how the company operates are there to be explored and colleagues have been available to offer their expertise and advice to help guide my progress.

As I move forward with my career this position will stand me in good stead when I look towards management roles. To have demonstrable experience of board level work at this stage in my career is something that money can’t buy and I’m forever grateful to the Festival for their investment in my future.’

BIF is looking for a second Associate Director. If you are interested and think you have the right ambitions and skills, we would love to hear from you. Mark is more than happy to talk to anyone who would like more insight into his experience as a BIF Associate Director. The Board Chairman, Felicity Goodey, is also available to discuss the position if you are interested.

There are four Board meetings a year. At present they are held via Zoom but in normal times, two in Buxton and two in London. Expenses are covered but there is no remuneration.

To apply please send a brief CV and a covering letter telling us why you are interested to: Felicity Goodey Chairman Buxton International Festival (BIF) felicity@felicitygoodey.com Closing date 31 September 2020.

3 The Square Buxton SK17 6AZ 01298 70395 info@buxtonfestival.co.uk Honorary President Duke of Devonshire KCVO CBE DL Honorary Vice-Presidents John Anfield Sir Peter Bazalgette Lady Antonia Fraser Lord Hattersley Donald Maxwell Trevor Osborne Dame Janet Smith Michael Williams MBE Baroness Shirley Williams Chairman Felicity Goodey CBE DL Chief Executive Michael Williams Artistic Director Adrian Kelly Buxton Arts Festival Limited Registered in Cardiff No. 1393717 Registered Charity No. 276957 VAT Registered No. 216 1071 52