Buckinghamshire Culture is seeking a motivated individual to take on the freelance role of Administration & Communications Assistant to support our growing charity. Suiting some one with voluntary, charity, arts or heritage experience, the role will have the opportunity to help deliver our projects, training programmes and day-to-day business.
We support flexible working and are open to how the hours are delivered but will require some time each week to be spent at our office within Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus.
As well as assisting with the day to day running of the charity, this role will champion Buckinghamshire Culture, ensuring excellent communication with partners and potential partners, raising the charity’s profile and reach.
For full details and how to apply, please see the Job Description below:
We invite performers (theatre, dance, circus), musicians, composers, spoken word artists, writers, poets, visual and digital artists to apply.
We are looking for up to four artists from a variety of disciplines, to be part of an artist collective with writer, poet and spoken word artist Ellen Renton, to create new works based on the exploration of Paralympic and Disability Arts archives in Buckinghamshire. The project is called Archive STORIES. We are particularly keen to hear from artists based in Buckinghamshire or neighbouring counties or artists with a strong connection to Buckinghamshire. This is a paid opportunity.
Archive STORIES coincides with this summer’s Paralympic Games in Paris and forms part of Buckinghamshire Culture’s new season of STORIES, a pilot season of events and activities taking place across Buckinghamshire between May and November 2024.
Please see our Call Out form for more information and to apply. This link contains all the details that you need to know in advance of an application, and a form to gather your application responses. Please click here to apply https://forms.gle/uWNSfh5zypCcYiJr8
You can also download the Call Out document, as either a Word or PDF below. These documents contain the same information as the Google Form.
Creating Quality Video Content with the Digital Culture Network
6th of May – Online 1:15-2:30
Join Dean Shaw from Arts Council England’s, Digital Culture Network and learn how to create fun and engaging video content across online platforms.
We are delighted to welcome Dean Shaw to our series of sector networking sessions. This online learning session is devised to amplify your marketing approaches and work towards developing digital strategies to free up time and increase impact.
Dean is a Tech Champion at the Digital Culture Network (DCN) and set to share top tips on content creation and introduce you to the ACE , Digital Culture Network. The team at DCN are available to advise on all things digital from accessibility and ticketing to ecommerce and marketing.
Dean is expert in supporting others to create high quality digital content, increasing impact and making the most time spent online.
Join us for a fun and engaging session with opportunity for networking and conversations to explore how we can work together to increase reach and raise the profile of the great work happening in Bucks.
Join us at Amersham Museum for our final Going Green Gathering and help us work out the next steps for a more sustainable approach to programme delivery across culture and heritage settings.
The session is led by Melissa Maynard from Dacorum Heritage Trust on the 17th of March from 3-5 in person at Amersham Museum
Melissa works with the Group for Education in Museums to look at how public-facing programmes and events can be more sustainable.
Melissa’s work on environmental sustainability is focused on how to implement impact behind the scenes to reduce carbon footprint taking into consideration; insulation, heating and lighting. Melissa’s session explores how to consider the impact of visitor activities, shops and displays, and programme accordingly.
This workshop explores some of the ways in which we can make greener choices for visitor events. The session is followed with opportunity for Q&A and networking with tea, coffee and snacks provided.
Have your say – join us for Creative Culture Conversations, 20th March
Bucks Culture invites cultural organisations of all sizes to join our online Creative Culture Conversation to inform how we connect and collaborate to enable sector growth.
Aiming to deliver a fun and engaging session providing feedback in real-time, the session offers opportunity to input into strategic planning, inform groupings and allow people to feel heard, part of something and understood.
This facilitated session will enable peer sharing, identification of trends and celebration of successes – ultimately helping Bucks Culture to see how best to support the sector to develop and grow.
A series of digital tools will be used to help participants respond to a proposed programme of sector development presented by Bucks Culture.
Be part of the conversation
Join Bucks Culture and cultural organisations of all sizes to shape the future of arts and culture in Buckinghamshire.
Celebrate International Women’s Day at our Women of Culture Event, 6th March
Women of Culture – Celebrating Women in the Cultural Sector
Bucks Culture is hosting Women of Culture, a special networking and celebratory event in honour of International Women’s Day, bringing together women in the cultural sector.
On March 6th, we bring together women working across Buckinghamshire’s cultural sector to exchange ideas, share insights, and build meaningful connections. This event is a dedicated space to reflect on the role of women in the arts and culture, celebrate achievements, and discuss the challenges that remain. While the session is designed with women in mind, men are welcome as allies—this is about fostering an inclusive and supportive conversation.
Rosie Axon (Founder and Director, Chiltern Music Therapy), Betty Makharinsky (Founder and Executive Director, Vache Baroque), and Vicky Hope-Walker (CEO, National Paralympic Heritage Trust) will lead a dynamic and interactive session, offering insight into their experiences as founders and leaders in the cultural sector. Through artist-led discussions and participatory activities, they will explore the role of music and the female voice in storytelling, leadership, and creative expression. As part of the Female Founder Journey, Rosie and Betty will share their perspectives on establishing and leading cultural organisations, while Vicky will provide insight into her work with the National Paralympic Heritage Trust, highlighting her leadership in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion within the sector.
Venue & Booking Details: 📅 March 6th, 12:30–2:30 PM
Buckinghamshire Culture is seeking a Programme Manager to support delivery and further development of our Sector-Facing programme, alongside projects and initiatives that support delivery of the Cultural Strategy.
The Programme Manager will manage and develop our broad membership and the events, activities and programmes we deliver to support the sector. This includes planning and programming our networking events and training activities, developing sector support initiatives, overseeing our 2024 conference and supporting co-ordination of our annual Open Weekend event.
The role will be based at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus, with travel across the county and home-working as appropriate.
Deadline for applications: 9am, 29th November 2023.
Please download the job description and details of how to apply below:
Buckinghamshire Culture is seeking an Engagement Producer to support development and delivery of our Stories programme, alongside projects and initiatives that support delivery of the Cultural Strategy.
The Engagement Producer will build relationships and partnerships with organisations and communities across Bucks in order to develop initiatives that enable greater participation in culture. Taking a proactive approach, they will seek synergies and opportunities for collaboration that will shape our community-facing programme. They will work with the Director and Creative Associate to build the Stories Season 1 programme.
The role will be based at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus, with travel across the county and home-working as appropriate.
Deadline for applications: 9am, 27th November 2023
Please download the job description and details of how to apply below:
Buckinghamshire Council Public Health and Culture Development Teams are working together to gain insights on what it means to age well in Buckinghamshire. They are now looking to co-commission a cultural practitioner or organisation to engage people in a creative exploration process.
The project will offer older residents the chance to develop their creative skills and express themselves through photography/videography/ or other media, and to co-curate a mobile touring display on the theme of ageing well. Proposals will be sought in July/ August and the project is due to run from October 2023 (Older People’s Day) to January 2024.
The appointed provider will be required to project manage and deliver workshops targeted at a range of older people from communities across the County.
Please see PDF document of the brief for more details on the project, person specification and how to apply:
Artists’ Brief for a Freelance Creative Engagement Practitioner
Buckinghamshire Council Public Health and Culture Development Teams are seeking a creative practitioner to work with them to explore what it means to age well in Buckinghamshire. This is an exciting co-commission for a creative practitioner to engage older residents in a creative process, involving local people in creative explorations, co-curation and sharing meaning.
Buckinghamshire Culture is the county’s cultural partnership formed to shape and steer the creative and cultural development of the county, through implementation of a county-wide Cultural Strategy. We became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2021 and are now seeking a knowledgeable Treasurer to join our charity board.
Initially formed in 2019, Buckinghamshire Culture represents the county’s cultural ecosystem, including arts, heritage, libraries, performance, museums, and the creative and cultural industries. The partnership works with organisations, groups and stakeholders who are interested in the impact and benefits of creativity and culture. Key county-wide partners include Buckinghamshire Council, Buckinghamshire New University, Discover Bucks Museum, Local Enterprise Partnership, National Film and Television School and the Rothschild Foundation.
You can find more about us here and see our charity details here.
Treasurer Responsibilities
Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice
Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place
Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation
Liaise with staff, Board and bookkeeper to ensure financial good practice
Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns, accounts and audits.
The role also involves Statutory Responsibilities as well as other Trustee Responsibilities. You can find full details in the PDF document.
Person Specification
We are seeking applicants from varied backgrounds and who come with diverse experiences, able to demonstrate:
Relevant qualifications in accountancy and/or finance
A passion for culture and creativity and the transformative role it can play in people’s lives
Commitment to the purpose and values of Buckinghamshire Culture and the role of culture for societal good
Enthusiasm, integrity and good independent judgement
A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Trustee
An ability to take strong decisions for the good of Buckinghamshire Culture
Willingness to act as an ambassador for Buckinghamshire Culture and the cultural offer
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Tact and diplomacy
Willingness to speak their mind as well as listen to the views of others.
You can find the full details of the role and the person specification in this PDF document:
To apply for the role of Treasurer please send a copy of your CV and an Expression of Interest explaining your passion and suitability for the role along with details of two referees to Helen: Helen@buckinghamshireculture.org
Deadline for applications: 5pm,18th September 2023.
In case you have any questions regarding the role feel free to contact Helen Cundy, Director (Maternity Cover) Helen@buckinghamshireculture.org
We are excited about the amazing projects that are planned for Open Weekend and you can now have a first look of what will be happening 27th to 30th July 2023 on the Visit Bucks website:www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/attraction/bucks-open-weekend.
Everyone is invited to enjoy creative projects, performances, workshops, exhibitions and much more taking place across the county over a long weekend.
Confirmed activities for this year include – but are not limited to – a special opera performance of ‘Revolting Rhymes’ at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, giant bug hotels building at Langley Country Park, a creative workshops organised by Chesham Library resulting in joint ‘One World’ through ‘Many Stories’ display, a festival of Marlow’s colourful history at Marlow Museum, an inclusive workshops organised by ‘Sing Your Pain Away’(online and in person), a workshop for a giant sculpture out of recycled material at Chiltern Open Air Museum, an online writing workshop and a session of musical forest bathing. Other activities include craft workshops, dance performances and classes, textile workshops, exhibitions, free theatre performances, concerts, choir sessions for families – but there is so much more!
The theme this year is ‘One World’. The events centre around sustainability and climate change as well as engaging communities in Buckinghamshire and beyond. Our organisers have run with the theme and interpreted it in very creative and surprising ways. Institutions, groups and individual artists will be putting on events as part of our collective celebration, Open Weekend.
Julius Weinberg, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair said: “We are delighted that the theme has inspired such a great range of projects, particularly as many of them are based upon collaboration between different creatives and bring together more than one art form or venue. Thanks to everyone who is getting involved. This shows again that being part of something bigger than the sum of its parts is something that the cultural sector here in Buckinghamshire really values!“
Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, added: “We invite residents across Buckinghamshire and beyond to embark on a creative adventure and discover the cultural riches within our county during Open Weekend. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this wonderful celebration of sustainability, community and the arts.”
The idea behind Open Weekend is to showcase the range and breadth of creative activities and projects taking place in Buckinghamshire throughout the year by shining a light on the options and providers at a specific point in time. Open Weekend is organised by Buckinghamshire Culture and supported by Buckinghamshire Council and the Rothschild Foundation.
This programme is supported through funding from Buckinghamshire Council and Rothschild Foundation.
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Notes to Editors:
Buckinghamshire Culture is the cultural partnership formed to drive forward the Cultural Strategy for the county. We aim to work together with the sector and stakeholders to shape, build and celebrate a bright cultural future for Buckinghamshire. Open Weekend is just one part of wider plans to develop a range of county-wide creative and cultural projects for Buckinghamshire, as part of the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy.
The Rothschild Foundation is a charity that supports arts and heritage, the environment, education and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through our support of Waddesdon Manor. Support for arts and cultural organisations is made available through our Strategic Fund.
Buckinghamshire Culture Open Weekend is back for its third year, and is inviting cultural organisations, community groups and creatives to be a part of it, and submit their events. Submissions can be made from Tuesday 11 April.
This celebration of creativity and culture showcases the range and breadth of creative events, activities and projects taking place in Buckinghamshire. It is organised by Buckinghamshire Culture and supported by Buckinghamshire Council and the Rothschild Foundation.
The theme for the event, which will run fromThursday 27 to Sunday 30 July is “One World”.
We all share this One World so there is plenty of room to interpret the theme in a way that you find inspirational. It could link to local or global sustainability and climate change or could incorporate ideas of inclusivity, connecting with communities in Buckinghamshire or abroad, diversity and access. Suggestions include, but are not limited to:
cultural projects to raise awareness of climate crisis and sustainability
creative activities around recycling and environmental topics
events focused on stories about championing diversity, representation and access
cultural activities that encourage participants to engage with other communities in Buckinghamshire or worldwide.
In previous years, activities have included: literary and heritage walks, performances, open days, trails, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, painting workshops and story-telling events.
Submissions for events/activities can be made from Tuesday11 April to Monday 22 May, usingthe online form at www.buckinghamshireculture.org/Open-Weekend here you can also find out further information about the event, plus FAQs and criteria for the events.
Buckinghamshire Culture is pleased to be able to give out a limited amount of micro grants for implementing projects/activities. More information on how to apply will be on the website.
Buckinghamshire Culture acts as an umbrella organisation for independently planned events by partner organisations. Getting involved and registering their events, brings a advantages for the organisers, including: a central ‘What’s On’ page, hosted by Visit Buckinghamshire, joint umbrella marketing, training, knowledge exchange and contact to other organisers.
Bill Morris, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair said: “We`re well on the way to making Open Weekend a tradition for Buckinghamshire. Last year’s success and the positive feedback from the organisers showed us that the idea of an event with joint marketing was a real benefit for larger as well as for smaller organisers. We hope to build on the success this year to put the creative potential of Buckinghamshire on the map for everyone.“
Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure added: “We are delighted to once again team up with Buckinghamshire Culture to support this event which is growing in popularity year on year. It allows local groups and organisations to showcase their cultural and creative talents to the wider community and also gives local people a wonderful opportunity to take part in a wide range of exciting and fun activities. Take a look at the Open Weekend webpageand make sure to submit your ideas as soon as possible so you can become a part of this fantastic event.”
Look out for further info on Open Weekend at www.buckinghamshireculture.org, on Twitter @BucksCulture, Instagram @Bucks_Culture
This programme is supported through funding from Buckinghamshire Council and Rothschild Foundation.
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Notes to Editors:
Buckinghamshire Culture is the cultural partnership formed to drive forward the Cultural Strategy for the county. We aim to work together with the sector and stakeholders to shape, build and celebrate a bright cultural future for Buckinghamshire. Open Weekend is just one part of wider plans to develop a range of county-wide creative and cultural projects for Buckinghamshire, as part of the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy.
The Rothschild Foundation is a charity that supports the arts and heritage, the environment and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through our support of Waddesdon Manor. In Buckinghamshire, they support cultural organisations to ensure they are able to continue to offer creative and inclusive engagement for local communities. Support is made available through their Strategic Fund.
In 2022, Buckinghamshire Culture embarked on two co-commision projects as part of the Navigating the New Normal Programme, funded by the Rothchild Foundation.
Project partner in the project ‘Homeless’ were Aylesbury Homeless Action and Wycombe Homeless Connection.
Multi award-winning photographer Craig Easton has been working with Aylesbury Homeless Action Group and Wycombe Homeless Connection. All project partners were keen to share the powerful stories in a new way, putting the individuals at the heart of the work – all of whom have had a very difficult time during Covid-19. Craig was co-commissioned by AHAG, WHC and Buckinghamshire Culture to work with individuals to give them a voice and to raise awareness and encourage the public to view homeless people with greater insight and understanding. Alongside the photographs, each individual’s personal story has been sensitively captured in text and audio, highlighting the often complex circumstances that have led to these situations.
The second project resulted in a nature inspired wall installation that will be on permanent display in Stoke Mandeville A&E department. Project partner were Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
The artwork for the project was created through three workshops led by artist Kerry Lemon and her mentee, BNU fine art student Ella Woodcock. Patients from the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Care of the Elderly and the Children’s wards, as well as staff from across the Trust were invited to create colourful works of art inspired by, and using materials from, trees in the local area and particularly those in Horatio’s Garden at the NSIC. Their creations were then curated by Kerry for the final art installation.
The video has interviews with representatives of the project partner, the artists and gives an idea of how each of them benefited from the project. It also gives an idea of the concept of co-commissions and draws the line to the importance of similar projects in the context of the work of Buckinghamshire Culture and the implementation of the Cultural Strategy.
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