In celebration of Trustee Week, our Chair of Trustees, Mark Friend (Parp), shares his experiences and insights from his journey with Artis. Mark reflects on the rewarding challenges, memorable moments, and his passion for supporting creative education. Dive into his story to learn more about the impact of his role and the vision driving Artis forward.

About the Chair: Mark (Parp)

As someone who has spent much of my career leading digital transformation in the media industry, much of it at the BBC, I’ve always believed in the power of innovation and creativity to change lives. I’ve been fortunate to build groundbreaking services, such as BBC iPlayer and BBC Music, and work with partners across a wide range of sectors. However, I felt a growing desire to contribute more directly to social causes and that’s when I discovered the opportunity to become a trustee for Artis.

Why did you want to join Artis?

I initially joined Artis as a trustee because I wanted to make a difference, and I believed in the foundation’s mission. Artis are the creative learning specialists who are dedicated to helping children unleash their full potential, and the vision and passion of the founders and team truly resonated with me. I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to learn and play music and I’ve experienced first-hand how creative initiatives can shape and impact individuals and communities. Artis was an organisation that aligned with my values.

But what I didn’t anticipate was how much I would gain personally from this experience. Serving as a trustee has not only allowed me to contribute to a cause I deeply care about, but it has also been a significant journey of personal growth. I’ve learned about the complexities of governance, the challenges of running a charity, and the profound impact a charity can have. Being part of Artis has broadened my horizons in ways I hadn’t expected.

Why Artis?

What sets Artis apart is its commitment to delivering an outstanding service. The foundation has a clear focus on excellence, particularly in how it trains and mentors its specialists. These specialists are the heart of Artis – talented individuals who bring creativity and passion to their work with children. Watching them in action, leading groups of children and using their skills to inspire and educate, is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a trustee. You see first-hand the difference that Artis is making in schools and communities.

Artis is not just about providing arts education; it’s about creating a sustainable impact. The foundation’s model ensures that specialists are well-equipped with the skills and support they need to deliver high-quality experiences for children. This commitment to quality is something I deeply admire, and it’s a key reason why I’m proud to be part of this organisation.

What are you looking forward to?

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the potential for Artis to expand its reach. In five years, I envision Artis being available to every primary school-aged child across the country. And not just in the UK – I see the potential for Artis to make a global impact. With the development of an engaging online service, Artis could reach schools across the UK, providing resources that teachers and professionals can use to bring creative learning into their classrooms.