Brief for Facilitator for dgArts Board and senior management teamdgArts Board wishes to recruit a facilitator with wide experience of strategic and financial planning in arts organisations to support the dgArts Board and senior management team in producing a restructuring plan for the organisation. This plan will need to include a revised business model, a clear business plan for 2011-12 and an outline business plan for 2011-2014, and will need to be completed by 29 January 2011.
Background:
dgArts, originally Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, was established in 1985 by Scottish Arts Council and Dumfries & Galloway Regional Council to support and deliver cross border touring and arts development in Dumfries & Galloway. It has a track record of delivery in the performing arts particularly in hosting residencies over the last 25 years, with public art delivered through Gingko projects since 1997, literature development alongside writers’ residencies from 2003, community arts engagement since an initial project in the aftermath of Foot and Mouth in 2002 and an audience development unit since 2005.
From 2001 the turnover of the organisation has quadrupled from £250k to over £1 million (2008-9) through the activities of a dedicated business development post. In 2008, the SAC and DGC agreed a rescue package of £200,000 to address a rolling deficit due to inadequate financial systems and control. A return to financial stability was achieved in June 2009 however In June 2010 the application for Flexible Funding from the SAC was declined, leaving dgArts with a reduction in unrestricted core funding of £200,000 from April 2011.
In discussions with Creative Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway Council, it has become clear that a revised business plan and organisational review is urgently required to reflect rapidly changing priorities in current arts and cultural policy world and new opportunities in Dumfries & Galloway. This work will need to be completed by the end of January 2011. The plan will be the key to dgArts Board and senior management team in restructuring and refocusing, in order to take forward a restructured organisation from April 2011.
Advisor/Facilitator requirements:
The person or persons appointed will need to work very closely with dgArts Board and senior management team to identify clearly the strategic priorities for the organisation, the financial parameters and business potential. They will also be expected to consult key stakeholders as necessary.
They will prepare proposals for a restructured organisation with achievable aims and priorities, working closely with the Board and senior management team. This process will start as soon as the contractor is appointed and will result in a new business model for the organisation and a business plan for 2011 -12 with an outline business plan for 2011-2014.
The contractor selected will have significant experience in change management, a good understanding of the changing financial environment in the arts and wider public sector and have both insight and experience of alternative business models for arts organisations.
The contractor will be selected on the following criteria:
Facilitator will have a demonstrable track record of tangible achievement in work with arts and cultural organisations in the following areas:
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Business planning
- Knowledge and understanding of public sector policy and current drivers in Scotland
- Artistic vision
- Identifying opportunities and able to make qualitative judgements
- A track record of preparing successful business plans based on research
- Knowledge and understanding of cultural policy, practice and organisational models
- Some knowledge of the South of Scotland and dgArts (formerly Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association) would be desirable but not essential
We will need your tender submission in the form of a hard copy and by email. Submissions should include the following information:
- Previous experience relevant to the current tender with names and contact details of two referees
- Staff undertaking the work, their specialist involvement and their cost per day. A short curriculum vitae for all members (if applicable) of the team. The responsibilities and time input of individual members of the team should be clearly identified
- Outline timetable for work; including dates for interim and final reports/presentations to the Board The revised business model and outline business plan 2011 -14 for dgArts with recommendations on restructuring needs to be completed by Friday 28th January 2011
- Overall and full breakdown of costs (research and administrative staff, analysis and reporting, travel and subsistence and VAT)
Fee available is £400 per day for a maximum of 10 days. Deadline for submission Monday 13th December 12 noon. Selection will be made by Wednesday 15th December and an initial meeting is planned for Monday 20th December 2010.