About

History

Started as an Art Club for Barbican residents in 1998 with John Griffiths finding the facilities which we still use. Renamed as the Barbican Art Society in 2012 with a formal constitution, and then registered as a Charity in 2015. There are currently seven Tutors who run regular classes and over 100 students attend each term. We have added more classes in 2025 and 2026.

Trustee Recruitment

We are seeking more trustees who are prepared to assist in the running of the Society. A range of backgrounds is desirable. At this point we are particularly seeking a new treasurer. A person with IT skills would also be welcome. A description of the responsibilities and commitment involved in becoming a trustee is provided below. For the Treasurer role, see also description below.

If you think you may be interested in helping to run a strong community organisation in art education, please contact secretary@barbicanartsociety.org.uk, providing information about yourself and the experience you have. We would be pleased to hear from you.

Trustee role description

A range of skills are relevant to running the BAS. Current trustees have financial, legal, art-related, IT and administrative skills, according to their past experience. Trustees need to be able to understand their responsibilities, which are set out in the legal framework provided by the Charity Commission, and through the Commission’s regulations and guidance. They must be prepared at all times to work in the best interests of the Society and its students and tutors (see paper CC3a of the Charity Commission). Trustees need to exercise individual judgement and commitment, but to also be able to work as part of a team.

Some of the regular responsibilities are taken forward by subgroups of trustees covering particular areas of responsibility, for example taking the lead in dealing with tutors and developing the class programme, or in the financial and IT requirements. Some trustees have delegated special roles or take on responsibility for particular issues. These trustees don’t have any extra powers or legal duties. All trustees remain jointly responsible for the charity and all trustees carry the same level of responsibility and power. For example, all trustees share responsibility for finances. Decisions are taken on a majority basis. All trustees are volunteers; the role is unpaid.

BAS Trustees meet face to face around 4 times a year but are also in regular contact online for information exchange and discussion. Meetings are usually held during the week, where possible in the daytime or early evening. Meetings are held on the Barbican estate. In addition to meetings, there are two annual events - the Open Evening where artwork is exhibited to visitors, and the Barbican Estate Summer Party - where the BAS is represented and the attendance of at least some of the trustees is necessary.

The Barbican Art Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which confers formal legal identity on BAS as a body with limited liability for its trustees.

Treasurer's role description

The charity’s treasurer is a vital officer role, combining financial oversight, strategic advice, and governance responsibilities. They ensure the charity remains financially healthy, compliant with regulations, and able to achieve its mission effectively.

The treasurer must ensure compliance with charity law, maintain accurate records, and act in the charity’s best interests. The treasurer maintains an overview of the charity’s financial affairs, ensuring solvency and financial viability. They monitor income, expenditure, and cash flow, and report on the charity’s financial health at trustee meetings. The treasurer advises trustees on their financial responsibilities, helping them to understand the financial data available in order to enable the committee to make informed decisions. Therefore, the treasurer should have an understanding of financial management and the ability to interpret and communicate financial data clearly. It should be noted however that, while the treasurer may have specific delegated responsibilities, all trustees share joint responsibility for the charity’s finances.

The treasurer will liaise with external auditors and/or independent examiners, or other professional advisors to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance as required by the Charity Commission.

As the Barbican Art Society is a small charity, the Treasurer will be required to perform some hands-on tasks:

- They will need to be a signatory for the BAS bank accounts - to set up or authorise payments as per BAS’s financial policies.

- They must keep records of the income and expenditure and reconcile these against the bank accounts on a regular basis.

- They must liaise with the Enrolment Secretary and SumUp administrator to ensure that income covers expenditure and advise the board of any subsequent requirement to change fees etc.

- They will need to prepare the annual accounts & financial review for submission at the AGM and, subsequently to the Charity Commission, after verification by an auditor or independent examiner.