We are looking to work with an external consultant to carry out a short review to inform how we deliver our strategy for Community-led art and creativity.
Read the full invitation to tender
We’re looking for someone with experience in evaluation and research, with knowledge of the cultural and community sectors. You should be good at listening, comfortable working with varied sources of information, and able to summarise findings clearly and simply.
We estimate the work will take 27 days, beginning in October 2025 and running through to January 2026, with a budget of £20,000.
Background
This review is an opportunity to look back at where we started when we first launched our strategy and our funding priority on community-led art and creativity, and assess where we are in 2025. We want to use what we learn about the changing context, alongside what progress our work and funding have made so far, to shape our future direction.
We have 82 active grants and social investments under our Community-led art and creativity priority, and a further 69 that have closed since 2020. These support approaches such as co-creation, participatory decision-making, and citizen assemblies – all aimed at building community power and leadership in arts and creativity.
What the review will involve
The review will cover both the wider context for community-led art and creativity and Esmée’s role within it. Themes and exact scope will be agreed with the consultant, but will include:
- Desk research beginning with the context pre-2020 and updated for 2025
- A review of key learning from Esmée’s funding from both grants and social investments
- Interviews or group discussions with Esmée staff, funded organisations, and external stakeholders (e.g. arts councils, local authorities)
- Validation workshop to test initial findings with a smaller group of stakeholders and Esmée
- Report writing
We plan to share findings with Trustees in February 2026 with final report due on 30 January 2026.
Experience we’re looking for
- Relevant experience in evaluation and research
- Knowledge of participatory and community arts and the wider cultural sector
- Understanding of the voluntary and community sector, including place-based working
- Strong communication and listening skills
- Ability to analyse varied sources of information and present findings clearly and simply.
We are open to tenders from pairs or groups of consultants as well as organisations.
Read the full invitation to tender
Registering your interest
If you are available for this project from October 2025 – January 2026, please email your details, including any potential conflicts of interest, and attach a CV (including day rates) and links to examples of your work to communications@esmeefairbairn.org.uk by 5pm on Monday 22 September 2025.
