Birmingham is already home to one of the most innovative opera companies in the world. Founded by international opera director the late Graham Vick, Birmingham Opera Company continues to make world-class opera in the UK's youngest and most diverse city and internationally with host partners across Europe.

With a full-time staff of only 4, a single office in Birmingham and no fixed venue, ensemble or orchestra, we draw some of the world's most exciting, diverse and emerging artists together with hundreds of volunteer participants to create large-scale performance in unusual spaces; an aircraft hangar, a disused factory, a nightclub. In constant dialogue with the peoples of Birmingham, we 'pop up' around the year in partnership with 50 mainly non-arts organisations. The audience moves with the action, experiencing the opera, performed in English, by being a part of it and recognising themselves in it.

We were one of few organisations to receive an uplift at the last NPO round, and receive £586,433 a year, the uplift seeding a new co creation strand in the wider Midlands area. We are now looking for folks who want to contribute to the continued success of this international award winning and locally grown music charity. 

What skills and experiences are you looking for? 

We want to hear from you if you can answer one of these questions:

• Do you have experience and networks in the region which could enable BOC to grow across the West Midlands region?
• Do you have key business contacts who can advocate or partner with us in Birmingham? 
• Can you grow philanthropy as a source of income?
• Are you an opera artist?

What commitment do you expect from board members? 

• Quarterly meetings and check in with Executive in your area of expertise plus one away day per year.
• We would establish particular goals with you which will progress the work of Birmingham Opera Company. 
• We'd expect in the first instance, a three year commitment with a view to further three year periods.
• Board members are unpaid volunteers but they are eligible to claim reasonable expenses. 

I'm unsure if being a board member is for me...

We are particularly interested to hear from candidates from diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. We encourage you to contact us via  [email protected] if you

• are cautious about applying because of your current employment status, caring responsibilities, access needs, working pattern, or any other financial barrier
• would like a conversation with an existing Board member.

How to apply

Write a statement which details your experience and motivations behind becoming a board member. It should be one side of A4. 

Please send your statement to [email protected]

Timeline

Date of advert: 30 April 2024 

Deadline: 20 May 2024 

We aim to interview candidates in late May