Trystan Hawkins
Job Ladders

Job Ladder

Trystan Hawkins reveals his career path from Charity Officer and Administrator to Art Director.

Trystan Hawkins
3 min read

Art Director, Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity (April 2013 – present)

As Art Director for Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity (CWHC), I lead the art programme which aims to improve the experience for patients and families at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The hospital was the first ‘new build’ hospital to incorporate art into its design and architecture, and CWHC has museum accreditation for its art collection. I am currently undertaking a ‘renewal’ programme of our works on display; broadening the range of visual and performing art on offer; and developing new and existing partnerships with many leading arts organisations.

Director/ Chief Executive, Royal West of England Academy of Art (June 2010 – March 2013)

I was the first Director of this 150-year-old, largely self-financed organisation, with the task of moving it into the 21st century and building a national profile. This involved working with notable art industry figures; the launch of a Friends and a patron scheme; delivering a range of capital schemes – including museum-grade display conditions and innovative art storage; and the launch of Bristol Drawing School. Earned income grew to £180,000; with art work sales of over £100,000, and there was a threefold increase in audiences.

Chairperson/ Founder Director, Plymouth Visual Arts Consortium (2007 – 2010)

In this role I applied for funding to employ a Producer, with whom we lobbied and promoted the development of visual arts across Plymouth. As a result, we secured Plymouth’s role as host city for the ‘British Art Show 7’ in 2011.

Head of Design/ Zest Director, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (January 2005 – May 2010)

Responsible for art and design within Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust as part of its c£400m strategic capital development, I developed the artistic programme, and with external fundraising, integrated arts into all areas of the organisation.

Council Member, Arts Council England (2002 – 2005)

Focusing on the visual arts, I was project champion in Norwich seeking to raise an international profile. I frequently spoke at national events, working with then Chairman Gerry Robinson and his successor Christopher Frayling.

Chief Executive/ Artistic Director, Wysing Arts Centre (October 1996 – December 2004)

As the first Chief Executive, I provided artistic, business and fundraising leadership for the organisation, including a £2.8m capital development project, which went on to win a RIBA award. The programme length extended from two months to become a year-round programme, with an audience of over 64,000.The centre was voted ‘Best place to enjoy the arts’ on ITV’s Six of the Best.

Project Co-ordinator (CEO), Action Space (July 1990 – Sept 1996)

Following the founder’s departure and loss of funding, my role was to develop the team and Board, secure new funding devise polices and write a five-year business plan. Collaborating with arts organisations, Action Space developed from working in day centres to mainstream, high profile arts venues such as Hayward Gallery, Whitechapel Gallery, the British Film Institute and the BBC.

Administrator, LEAP (1989 – 1990)

For this theatre project working with young people at risk, I was responsible for booking tours, marketing and financial management.

Charity Officer, Amnesty International UK (1988 – 1989)

I managed fundraising for Amnesty’s activities not related to campaigning, including covenants and legacies.

 

Trystan Hawkins is Art Director for Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity.
www.cwhc.org.uk