Independent Arts is a registered charity and is now looking to recruit three new trustees from January 2024, as part of a planned succession programme following a recent skills review. We’d like to hear from you if you have professional experience in: - health and social care (especially mental health) - broad fundraising strategy - youth services (or are a young person aged 18-25 years) Independent Arts is committed to inclusivity and diversity, so if you may need some assistance to apply or to fulfil this role, please let us know. Due to the nature of the charity, trustees do need to live on the Isle of Wight. These are senior volunteer roles. The board meets four times a year at our Creative Hub (early evening) to review the performance and direction of the charity, which is led day to day by the chief executive and staff. Outside of the meetings, trustees are encouraged to support the charity at events, workshops and to read the papers provided to be able to support the team fully in delivering the mission. Prospective applicants are advised to read more from our Trustee page before they apply. To have an informal chat about what is expected of a trustee before applying, please email [email protected] who will arrange a convenient time.   To apply: Email a cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the role including relevant specialist experience. Please include the names and contact details of two referees who can vouch for your expertise and character. Please also enclose a CV if possible. Application deadline: mid-day 9thNovember email to [email protected] with Trustee Application in the subject line.   Process: applicants are warmly encouraged to request a call with or visit to meet our chief executive before applying. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in person. Selected candidates will be invited to attend a trustee meeting to observe the discussion and to meet the other trustees socially. Following this, new trustees will be appointed in January.   Induction and start: a full induction programme will be arranged during January and February, to include visits to the charity’s activities and to meet the executive team. A calendar of meeting dates and other optional events will be provided.

If you have parked in the Little London carpark in Newport recently, you will have been treated to a wonderful vision of the Island’s coast, thanks to the latest mural by a group of young people working with artist Laura Hathaway and arts for wellbeing charity Independent Arts. The mural, which was officially ‘unveiled’ on 8th September, was funded by the Isle of Wight AONB Partnership to help raise awareness of the Island’s natural environment and extends a trail of black and white artworks created by the young people and Laura as part of the Artswork investment programme Supporting Young Minds. You can see other work at Newport Bus Station and Chain Lane. To get inspiration for the mural, the young people, Laura, filmmaker Bruce Webb, and the team from Independent Arts caught the number 12 bus to Compton Bay, which sits within the Island’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and spent a day painting and drawing there, using a range of media, including pigments they made from clay, earth and vegetation. The young people described the visit as relaxing, peaceful and calm. This was very much what The Isle of Wight AONB’s Richard Grogan had in mind when he funded the programme. He explained: “In a time of heightened anxiety amongst young people about their future we hope the IWAONB can help them relax and take stock of their experiences and externalise those thoughts and feelings as inspiration for public art that may help others.”