Name
The Organisation shall be called the Artists’ Network Bedfordshire, herein called the ANB.
Aims and Objectives
The purpose of the ANB is to:
- Be an artist-led organisation promoting the visual arts (including fine art, painting, photography, craft, media arts as well as 3-D work).
- To plan and promote joint ANB exhibitions and to promote Hub and individual member exhibitions.
- To provide information and support to members of ANB.
- To act as voice for members of ANB and to promote their work.
In order to achieve such objectives it will be necessary for the ANB to address some of the following obligations:
- To meet regularly and formally to discuss the setting up, management, financing and programme of the activities of the ANB.
- To maintain accurate financial information.
- To liaise with appropriate outside bodies in pursuit of funding, advice and assistance.
Membership
Membership is open to any artist who lives, works or studies in Bedfordshire and the neighbouring counties, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity or religion. Outside interested parties shall be offered Friend membership. The Team is empowered to set annual membership fees. Exhibitions held by the ANB shall be open to the membership, and may be publicised by the ANB, with prior approval of the Team. Exhibited works under either of these provisions may be liable to a selection process at the absolute discretion of the Team or the exhibition organisers.
Management
There shall be an executive or management Team, elected by the membership. The Team will be responsible for fulfilling such legal and administrative obligations as necessary to fulfil the requirements of the constitution. The Team needs to consist of a minimum of the following members:
- Secretary Membership Secretary c. Treasurer
Additional members of the Team may be co-opted.
The Team shall be elected annually at the AGM. There shall be at least three meetings per year to discuss the business of the ANB. In addition, an Annual General Meeting shall take place each September or October, but provision to hold the meeting between nine and fifteen months from the previous Annual General Meeting shall exist, as long as the membership are notified by email beforehand. A meeting is deemed to be quorate when not fewer than three members of the Team are present.
Dissolution
On dissolution or winding up of the ANB, any financial or tangible assets remaining after realisation of capital, equipment, debts, etc., together with any bank credit balance, shall be transferred to an organisation with similar aims and objectives. Should there be a net liability upon dissolution this shall be shared equally among the membership.
Constitutional Changes
Proposed changes to the constitution must be submitted, in writing, with a proposer and seconder to the Team, at least one month prior to a General or Annual meeting. Once appointed, the Team shall have the final decision on any disagreement that may arise, with the Treasurer having the casting vote if required. The constitution may only be altered at a meeting of the ANB, which has been notified at least a month previously, with a majority of the membership being actually present at the meeting being in favour of such alteration. An extraordinary Annual General Meeting may only be convened if two-thirds of the membership vote for such action at an ordinary meeting held at least one month in advance of the proposed extraordinary Annual General Meeting. The first task at said meeting shall be either to appoint a new Team or confirm the appointment of the existing Team.
Dated: January 2015
THE ARTISTS’ NETWORK BEDFORDSHIRE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY STATEMENT
The Artists’ Network Bedfordshire aims to be an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, and where there is equal opportunity for all. The ANB respects and values the diversity of its membership. This means that all members of the ANB should understand and respect that there is a diverse user community and that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and equality.
The Artists’ Network Bedfordshire will tackle barriers to participation and create a culture in which equal opportunities and equal treatment are a priority for all of its members. In the recruitment, training, and in all our day-to-day work with both colleagues and users, we seek to create an environment where attitudes and biases that hinder the progress of individuals and groups are dismantled and where we work together in mutual respect and tolerance.