NEWS: issued Thursday 3 March 2022.

A diverse group of new trustees who seek to give a voice to underrepresented communities in Plymouth has been appointed to help lead three of the city’s key creative and cultural organisations.

KARST, Barbican Theatre and Plymouth Culture have all announced new trustees appointed to their boards in 2022, having worked together throughout the recruitment process to make sure a diverse range of voices are properly represented in the city’s cultural offer.

The inclusive, accessible application process - which involved audio formats and informal conversations - sparked an inspiring response from a huge variety of people who felt supported, seen and heard by the innovative approach to finding new trustees.

The three organisations now have more inclusive boards with:

• People from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

• A mix of ages with a balance of gender.

• Strong, considered voices representative of their communities.

• Experience that will provide true support to the organisations.

The volunteer trustees will help guide the organisations’ strategies and provide new perspectives on how they work, while helping drive opportunities to make extraordinary things happen in the city.

KARST is one of the largest independent contemporary art gallery and studio spaces in the South West, while Barbican Theatre creates stunning live entertainment not confined to the stage that builds Plymouth’s own creative voice and gives it a platform.

Plymouth Culture is the city’s sector support agency, helping it realise its cultural ambitions by fuelling collaboration, securing crucial funding and opening up creative opportunities.

Hannah Harris, CEO of Plymouth Culture, said: “We believe this uniquely collaborative approach to finding a new generation of cultural leaders means we have a passionate set of trustees making up strong and relevant boards.

“We wanted to find people who not only share the vision for Plymouth to be an international city driven by arts, creativity and innovation, but understand the need for different communities to be properly represented by culture in the city.”

This inclusive, collaborative approach will continue with a joint programme of board training and development to support trustees in their important role.

You can find out more about the new trustees of the three organisations boards here:

plymouthculture.co.uk/our-board

karst.org.uk/about

barbicantheatre.co.uk/about-us/our-people/#trustee