General

First apprentice joins Arts Council Board

9th December, 2022

The Arts Council has announced Tanya English as its first Board Room Apprentice.

Tanya English wrapped up in hat and gloves outdoors with her dog.
Pictured: Tanya English

As well as attending the Council’s regular board meetings, Tanya will have the opportunity to take part in a suite of learning days as part of the Board Room Apprentice Programme.

The scheme, which is open to those aged 16 or over from all backgrounds and all abilities, is a unique board learning and development programme which aims to diversify boardrooms in the third and public sector.

Tanya comes from a creative background. She worked as freelance graphic designer for 14 years, before taking up new employed post last year. Speaking about the Board Room Apprentice Programme, she said, “I like to be around interesting people and am drawn to those who I can be a help to. I know the strength art can be and how it can bring people together and so working with the Art Council is ideal. I am looking forward to growing in my understand of how a board works so that in time I can bring a strength to community led projects and give something back to society.”

The Arts Council welcomed Tanya English to her first board meeting in September. It has commended the programme as an opportunity to bring new voices onto the board and diversify its membership.

Arts Council Chair Liam Hannaway commented, “Serving as a board member is a hugely rewarding experience, an opportunity to make a real difference for an organisation or in an area which you feel passionate about. The Boardroom Apprentice programme is a fantastic route into the boardroom, combining practical training with real world experience serving on a board. The Arts Council is delighted to be involved in this year’s programme.”

Tanya is one of 54 candidates appointed to host boards this year. Other organisations taking part include, Libraries NI, Community Fund, The Playhouse and Verbal Arts Centre.

Founded in 2017, the programme is now in its sixth year. With support from the Department of Finance, the Boardroom Apprentice provides apprentices with the opportunity to expand their skill set through training workshops on topics such as finance, governance and communication.

For more information, go to: boardroomapprentice.com