Director for The Folklore Centre: Funding Lead
The Folklore Centre, Todmorden, a Community Interest Company, is seeking a director with experience of fundraising and grant applications. This is a voluntary position, with reasonable expenses paid dependant on funding success.
Since 2019, The Folklore Centre has grown into a significant site for the exploration, celebration and recognition of the role of folklore in a community setting. Aiming to bridge the gap between folklore research and the role of folklore in the community, it provides a physical meeting place for folklore in the North in its visitors’ centre in Todmorden, set in the landscape of the Upper Calder Valley. The Centre comprises: a museum and exhibition space, a library, shop, and tearoom. It hosts a weekly programme of folklore speakers and has a strong online presence.
The Centre also runs community projects and is used by other organisations as a venue for events/ workshops. In 2024 it received a small grant from the NLHF and worked on ‘Weird as Folk’ at the Portico Library and is currently running a project funded via Calderdale Council, as well as imminently providing an ’artist-in-residence’ opportunity. We are part of multiple heritage and folklore networks and have strong links with folklore organisations across the UK and beyond.
Given the increase in its scope over a relatively short period, and the demand for such a Centre in the north of England, the Centre currently does not have the capacity to build on its successes to date. Hence the urgent need to recruit a new director who can work alongside the founder, Holly Elsdon. This key person will ideally have experience with funding applications and fundraising, to lead in this area working with other directors and volunteers.
We are seeking an individual who is passionate about the role of folklore in contemporary society, willing and able to devote the necessary time and effort to the organisation, able to think creatively, and understands the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of the directorship. Board meetings take place in Todmorden in person so you must be able to travel to this location.
Ideally the new director will have experience of operating on, or working with, a board or committee in a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation. This is an opportunity to contribute to the future progression of The Folklore Centre, to support and develop the Centre's exhibitions, events, community engagement, provision of resources and archival material, and to contribute to wider national and international conversations around folklore.
Applications are invited for this opening. For further details about the directorship, and its requirements, contact Holly Elsdon on: folkloremythmagic@gmail.com
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