BOARC is an experiment in itself, which takes energy, good humour, self-reflection and lots of patience to run, and we thank you for your participation!
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Steward Role
We are not currently seeking another member of the team, but please do get in touch for more information. We will consider all applications when the role opens up.
BOARC is an autonomous space run by the people who founded it, and you would be joining as part of the small team. The Stewarding role requires a range of soft skills, practical capabilities, and hands-on health & safety duties. You will need to be responsive and flexible as part of this role, interested in the project as an experiment, as well as being aligned to the project’s values. We are a LGBTQ+ team with neuro-diverse members, actively non-racist, with an accountability policy. BOARC welcomes people from diverse backgrounds. An enhanced DBS is also required, as safeguarding is an occasionally required part of this role.
There are also opportunities for live-in stewards who can assist long term whilst using the space for their own projects, and affiliates - either individuals, groups or organisations - who can help steer the project over the next couple of years.
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This is a hybrid situation: an offer of domestic and studio resources for a period of three months. The live-in steward stays at BOARC without paying any nightly fees to study, work, commit to a period of research, and concentrate on their own practice. In return, the live-in steward takes responsibility during the night for four or five nights per week. Positions begin in January, March, June and September on a rolling basis. This position is specifically for people with experience of co-running autonomous DIY spaces. If you are interested in this position please send us an email and we’ll reply with the info pack and application procedure.
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BOARC is a young experimental project and we are responsively shaping the organisation as we go along. We really appreciate people getting to know the project and offering contributions.
The AGM is held as part of the Annual General Exchange between 31st October - 5th November every year.The Affiliates meeting is held as part of Summer solstice, around the 21st June.
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If you are interested in supporting the programming at BOARC we are launching BOARC affiliates soon! More info incoming.
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We are currently developing a Heritage Education Centre Space (HECS). We periodically hold working group meetings to set up the HECS. More information on opportunities relating to this project will be posted here soon. To find out more please email: enquiries@bidstonobservatory.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it only possible to stay for a minimum of two nights?
It’s not possible for people to stay for one night only, as this tends to take away from the community’s resources rather than add to it - not to mention the extra laundry costs!
Why is it only possible to stay for a maximum of one month?
In order for this resource to be shared by multiple different groups and individuals, stay is capped at one month. This keeps the space flowing and stops areas becoming territorialised unintentionally. As this is a study site, it is not possible to just live here, though we understand study takes many different forms and doesn’t always appear “productive”.
Why is there a sliding scale?
Many of the decisions we make here at BOARC focus on keeping this resource available for practitioners. The sliding scale helps us to offer a subsidised rate to people who would benefit.
What is an artistic research centre?
In the arts, just like in the sciences, research is conducted in the process of making or experimenting. Practitioners take time, and focus attention on the way that they conduct their practice – however it fits into a discipline, or sits outside many. The process of doing research in the arts varies greatly, and there is no one methodology which applies to all. This artistic research centre is a space where people can come to explore different methods of working, have time for reflection, and get feedback from other practitioners.
What do you mean by self-organising?
The stewards are here to support the building and its resources. The building and its resources are here to support you and your work. While the project is all about trying to make things possible, stewards are already fully occupied with administration and practicalities and can not be expected to support the needs of your personal practice too.
Why is it important to read the values?
through the values carefully and make a decision for themselves about whether they feel aligned. It is not important to share all of these values exactly as they are written, but you should be aware that this is an actively anti-racist, anti-ableist, intersectional feminist site, and there are accountability guidelines in place here for users, stayers, stewards and organisers alike.[Link to values here]
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The AGM is held as part of the Annual General Exchange between 31st October - 5th November every year.The Affiliates meeting is held as part of Summer solstice, around the 21st June.