Welcome to Sterts / Dynnargh Dhe Sterts
“On a foggy, soggy September evening on the wetter side of the equinox and the wrong side of Bodmin Moor for some of us, we came a fair old way for our first visit to Sterts Arts at Upton Cross – and drove home happy and glad to have made the effort. The setting is beautiful; the small but vibrant village perched above those deeply wooded valleys to the east of Cornwall which us westerners miss, perhaps more than we realise. The auditorium itself is a triumph of design tucked into a scrape in the hillside. The whole vibe is friendly and community driven.” - Audience Member September 2021
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre is a dynamic creative hub located on the edge of Bodmin Moor in South-East Cornwall. Our unique 4-acre site is where creativity meets nature at Cornwall's geographical and cultural gateway. Our 500-seat Barn Theatre hosts a diverse range of performances, including theatre, dance, comedy, and live music. Our newly refurbished 70-seat Studio and Community Hub, opening in April 2025, will centre around creativity and community, providing a regular programme of activity and performances for people of all ages.
Join our Board
Hello / Dydh da,
Sterts is at an exciting point in its history. We are looking for new Trustees/Directors to complement the skills, lived experience and work history of our current board who will support and shape Sterts & Environmental Centre on its next stage of growth and development. We are particularly keen to recruit on the basis of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and would welcome anyone with a disability.
We’re especially interested in hearing from people with skills or lived experience in:
Finance and strategic oversight
Premises Management
Safeguarding and HR
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Climate and environmental action
Working with or championing young people
If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, then please get in touch with Trustee Sarah Pym sarahpym@stertsarts.org
With best wishes/oll an gwella
Mark Brownrigg
Chair of Trustees
Our Vision, Mission & Values
Vision: Inspire creative growth, joy and confidence with communities, where everyone can thrive in a supportive and sustainable environment.
Mission: With our communities we will create a resilient arts organisation.
We will do this by:
Producing, making and evolving our wider creative programme in the context of our environmental and place-based responsibilities
Learning and discovery being at the heart of what we do.
Being accessible, inclusive and welcoming
Maximising our unique assets
Values:
Collaboration
Discovery
Welcoming
Vitality
Courage
Charity Structure & Responsibilities
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre (CIO Number 1189424) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), and in 2024, Sterts Theatre (CIC Number 15422924) was established as a Community Interest Company (CIC), wholly owned by the charity. The charity is looking to appoint more directors to its operational arm, focusing on the theatre operation and programming, events and other activities. Trustees/Directors must be at least 16 years old. While Trustees/Directors are unpaid, we’ll cover reasonable travel or support costs connected to your role. If you’d like to check anything in advance, feel free to ask.
What is a Trustee?
A trustee is someone who helps lead and guide a charity, making sure it is well-run, legally compliant, and true to its purpose. Think of it as being part of a team that supports Sterts to thrive, bringing your skills, ideas, and perspective to decisions that shape our future. You don’t need to be an expert in charity law or finance, we value lived experience, common sense, curiosity, and commitment just as much as technical know-how.
Trustee Responsibilities
As a Trustee, you will be responsible under Charity Law for overseeing key areas such as employment, health & safety, and financial management. In particular, you will:
Ensure the charity is fulfilling its purpose for public benefit.
Comply with Sterts’ governing document and legal obligations.
Act in the best interests of Sterts and its community.
Manage Sterts' resources responsibly.
Use reasonable care and skill in your role.
For further guidance on trustee responsibilities, see The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know.
Commitment and Culture
Our Board meets formally six times a year, but being a trustee is more than just turning up to meetings. It’s about being part of a creative, collaborative, and supportive group that enjoys working together, celebrates successes, and tackles challenges with openness. The pace can vary, sometimes calm, sometimes busy, but always with the shared goal of helping Sterts flourish.
Expectations
As a Trustee, we ask you to:
Attend six face-to-face meetings per year (typically 2 hours each)
Participate in occasional extra meetings, both in-person and online
Act as an advocate for Sterts and its work within the community
Engage in discussions, making informed decisions, even when these may involve differing views
Stay informed about Sterts’ activities by reading Board papers and relevant materials.
Give practical support where possible and regularly attend shows and events
Next Steps
If you’re curious but unsure whether this is for you, we offer an informal chat with our Chair or another board member to answer your questions.
Apply
Please submit a CV with a letter of interest that is no more than an A4 page of why you want to be on our board of Trustees or a video submission of no longer than 5 minutes by Monday 15th September at 10am.
If you need this information in another format, or if you’d like to have a conversation about the role please contact Trustee Sarah Pym at sarahpym@stertsarts.org.
