VASW Co-Chair Opportunity

This is a voluntary leadership role.

We are seeking a committed co-chair to join Visual Arts South West (VASW) at a crucial point in our development. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of the visual arts across the South West at a time when advocacy, collective leadership and sector resilience have never been more vital.

You will work alongside our Co-Chair, Rocca Holly-Nambi (Director, b-side), and VASW’s two co-directors, playing a central role in steering the organisation through its next phase of development. Working collaboratively, you will help ensure VASW continues to champion artists and art workers, strengthen regional networks, and advocate nationally for the distinct needs and ambitions of the South West.

“As co-chair, I see first-hand the ambition and care that drives our work - from championing artists and organisations to advocating for the visual arts on a national stage. We’re really looking forward to welcoming a new Co-Chair to shape this next chapter with us.”
Rocca Holly-Nambi, Co-Chair, Visual Arts South West

About the role

As co-chair, you will collaboratively lead the VASW Steering Group and help ensure the organisation fulfils its governance responsibilities while remaining ambitious, responsive and sustainable. Working in partnership with the current co-chair, you help ensure the organisation is well-run, values-led and fit for the future. You will act as a critical friend and strategic partner to the co-directors, supporting them to deliver VASW’s vision and priorities.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to contribute senior-level thinking, leadership and advocacy to the visual arts sector, and who values collaboration, care and collective action. Above all, the co-chair acts as an advocate for artists, art workers and organisations across the South West, helping amplify regional voices and supporting a stronger, more equitable visual arts sector.

What will the role involve

• Co-chairing VASW’s Steering Group, ensuring collaborative decision-making and effective governance
• Supporting and line-managing the co-directors through regular meetings, acting as a critical friend and sounding board - offering guidance, challenge and strategic perspective
• Helping hold and shape VASW’s long-term vision and strategic direction
• Supporting the co-directors in maintaining and strengthening VASW’s financial sustainability
• Oversight of the procedures and policies of VASW, in collaboration with the Directors
• Advocating for artists, art workers and organisations across the South West
• Playing an active role in the national CVAN Chairs group, contributing to collective policy discussions and sector development
• Championing strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Arts Council England and Spike Island.
• Demonstrating an appetite and willingness to further develop the role of VASW in the sector, supporting the organisation to strive for excellence.
• To be listed as a Non Executive Director of VASW CIC on companies house and comply with all legal and statutory duties

Why this moment matters

VASW is artist-centred, values-driven and deeply connected to its community. Led by committed co-directors and supported by an engaged Steering Group, we work across one of England’s most geographically diverse regions - from Cornwall to the Cotswolds and the Isle of Wight - amplifying voices that are often marginalised within national conversations.

This appointment comes at a key moment following the successful securing of Arts Council England funding, VASW is entering a period of focused strategic development - strengthening our foundations and voice, and ensuring the organisation is resilient and sustainable for the long term.

This investment recognises the critical role VASW plays in advocating for the South West’s visual arts ecology. It also creates an opportunity to think ambitiously about how we operate, how we resource our work, and how we grow our impact locally, regionally and nationally.

As we build on this momentum, the co-chair will be central to helping guide VASW through this next phase: supporting strategic planning, governance and financial sustainability, and helping ensure that our structures, partnerships and programmes are fit for the future.

As co-chair, you will help ensure that VASW continues to grow its influence, strengthen its partnerships and respond meaningfully to the needs of its community.

Who we’re looking for

We are keen to hear from individuals with:

• Knowledge of and a strong commitment to the visual arts sector, regionally and nationally
• Confident, inclusive and collaborative leadership skills
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills
• A demonstrable commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Commitment to strengthening the visual arts sector regionally and nationally for artists, organisations and audiences

You do not need to have held a co-chair role before. We value lived experience, creative thinking and a willingness to learn.

Time commitment

• Quarterly online Steering Group meetings (co-chaired), one of which (when funding allows) will be an extended in-person meeting
• Monthly meetings with the VASW co-directors
• Attendance at national CVAN quarterly meetings as VASW’s co-representative

About Visual Arts South West

Visual Arts South West is an independent Community Interest Company (CIC), supported by a Steering Group and core funding via Spike Island’s Arts Council England NPO. Our small, dedicated team works from Spike Island and remotely in Bristol and Devon.

We connect, support and celebrate the South West visual arts community through our user-led online Directory, Opportunities listings, What’s On, monthly newsletter and social media platforms - reaching thousands of artists, art workers and organisations. Our programme provides development opportunities and career progression for artists and art workers across the region, ensuring people have the support they need for their practice to thrive.

VASW is proud to be part of CVAN, working collectively with partners across England to influence policy and build a stronger, more resilient visual arts sector.

How to apply

Deadline: Monday 20 April 2026

To apply, please contact info@vasw.org.uk, sending:

• A CV or short biography
• A 500-word statement outlining your motivation for applying and the experience or skills you would bring

Please also complete our equal opportunities form which can be found here.

We warmly welcome video or audio applications, which can be shared via a private link.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online conversation with the chair and co-directors on 7 May 2026.

If you have any questions while making your application, require this information in a different format, or would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact info@vasw.org.uk.