Creative Junction Associates
What are Associates?
Creative Junction Associates are a group of free-lance professionals each with their own practice, specific expertise and professional networks who will bring a body of experience additional to the Creative Junction team.
Together we will embrace a collaborative approach and work with and for young people and the arts, creative and cultural sector to build partnerships which develops creativity and to connect powerful, innovative learning across sectors.
This model allows the Associate to further develop their specialism and portfolio of work as part of a supportive organisation.
It is not an offer of work, but an opportunity to connect with the organisation and those who work with us, support the shaping and development of theory and practice, be linked to a progressive and thriving social enterprise and use your creativity to make change happen in places where young people are.
Benefits of being a Creative Junction Associate:
Preferred partner: Associates will have the flexibility of working as a freelance professional, but with the knowledge that they will be Creative Junction’s first port of call when specific skills are needed.
Access to external funding: Associates will be able to apply for funding, propose delivery of services and projects and develop work under the umbrella of Creative Junction; where these opportunities are not open to individuals and where funders are looking for an organisation to host a piece of work.
Creative Junction reputation: working as an Associate assures clients of the quality of your work and links what you do to an increasing body of knowledge, expertise and experience.
Creative Junction brand: Associates can employ Creative Junction’s brand and reputation; act as a Creative Junction representative, whilst retaining freelance status.
Practical support: access to equipment, people, systems, processes and resources.
Professional support: on-going support and formal and informal opportunities for further learning.
Dialogue: on-going conversations with the team, our national professional networks and other Associates about opportunities, ideas and collaborations.
Connection: to a broader picture; a series of regular gatherings for Associates where ongoing and completed work can be discussed and links and connections can be made.
Shared ethos: a high quality network; working and connecting with people with shared values and ethos including partnership, creativity, reflection, equality, and young people at the centre.
Profile and audience for your work: conference papers, events, CJ website and newsletters, publications.
Benefits to Creative Junction:
Reach: Associates will each bring specialised expertise, broadening Creative Junction’s offer and also have their own reputations and networks.
Range: We will be associated with other agendas by and through our Associates.
Diversity: The variety and difference in skills, voices and ideas Associates bring will enhance Creative Junction as an organisation.
Professional support: Associates offer on-going support to the Directors and across the organisation.
Dialogue: on-going conversations with Associates about opportunities, ideas and collaborations and input on shaping theory, policy and practice.
Perspective: Associates offer an insider/outsider take on the organisation, keep us current and linked to practice on the ground, bring their own distinct offer and can provide challenge and question in view of our work.
Flexibility: Associates enable Creative Junction to maintain a flexible workforce.
Becoming an Associate
At times Creative Junction will look to recruit Associates with specific skills, experience and expertise to support Creative Junction priorities of the coming year. We will advertise on the Creative Junction website and select against outlined criteria based on personable traits, expertise and experience in required areas.
At other times, there may be a more flexible way of recruiting Associates: You may come to us or we may come to you and we will have some conversation about an idea or opportunity, discuss how it fits with Creative Junction’s aims and ethos and the individual’s expertise and agree a way forward using the Associate model.
On other occasions Creative Junction may be approached by someone interested in becoming an Associate: when an appropriate piece of work comes along this could provide an opportunity for Creative Junction and potential Associate to explore and assess each other.
Associates may have a long term relationship, in supporting Creative Junction’s principle aims and priorities, or an Associate may work with Creative Junction on a discreet focussed short term piece of work. Relationships will be appropriate to each individual. The Associate network will be reviewed and refreshed annually.
Associates are different to other freelancers Creative Junction may work with, e.g. practitioners, project managers or programme leaders. In particular:
• Associates are about dialogue, connections and collaborations
• Associates will have invested interest in the network
• Associates will bring particular expertise and contacts and networks
• Associates will be opportunistic and proactive as well as responsive
• Associates offer ‘something more’: There is an expectation of a level of understanding and increased thinking
Expectations
The offer to be a Creative Junction Associate is open to anyone but a Creative Junction Associate network will thrive if we have shared expectations in the ways in which we work with each other. We believe this must include mutual trust, confidence, agreed high quality standards, challenge, rigour, sharing, openness, integrity, thoughtfulness on who we work with and why. We seek Associates with shared faith in the network and model as well as in our vision for young people.
As well shared expectations there are commitments and requirements to being an Associate: work will always fit Creative Junction strategic objectives and ethos and we look to work with people with enthusiasm, experience and understanding in mutual respect, over and above status and position.
Requirements
• Commitment to the development of Creative Junction as a progressive and leading social enterprise.
• Ability to act as advocate and ambassador for Creative Junction with a clear understanding of the organisations ethos, aims and ambitions.
• Proven ability to seek out and nurture collaborations and new opportunities.
• Proven ability to create an environment that fosters effective partnership working.
• Extensive experience in creating, delivering and managing projects and programmes.
• Wide professional network in the arts and cultural and/or learning sector.
• High level of understanding of current practice and policy in arts and cultural and learning sectors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to actively facilitate change using creative approaches that benefits the organisation and its goals.
• Readiness to embrace risk and change and encourage others to do the same.
• Ability to look at issues in unconventional ways from unusual perspectives.
• Commitment to reflective practice and own professional learning.
• Enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau
• Public Liability Insurance
