Director for The Folklore Centre, Todmorden: Funding Lead

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: [email protected]