General Conduct Standards for all People acting for
The Space by AZM CIC
Purpose :
To support artists, designers, entrepreneurs and other creatives through professional, respectful and accountable creative opportunity, project activity and public-facing cultural work.
To support a respectful, professional and accountable culture across The Space by AZM CIC’s exhibitions, pop-ups, art residencies, curated opportunities, paid press representation, supported or subsidised PR access, and related public-facing creative activity.
This Code of Conduct applies to the director, staff, contractors, advisers, assessors, volunteers, applicants, artists, designers and partners acting in connection with The Space by AZM CIC.
It is intended to create a culture that is respectful, professional, disciplined and consistent with a mission-led public-benefit organization.
1. Application
This Code of Conduct applies to board members, committee members, volunteers, assessors, advisers, invited participants and any other individual acting in connection with The Space by AZM CIC.
2. Expected Standards of Behaviour
• Behave respectfully towards all participants, applicants, artists, designers, partners, audiences, venue teams and colleagues.
• Allow others to speak without interruption and remain focused on the matter under discussion.
• Communicate courteously in meetings, emails, messages and public-facing settings.
• Follow lawful instructions and governance processes agreed by the Company.
• Treat confidential and sensitive information with care, including information relating to applicants, artists, designers, partners, venues, internal decisions, finances and opportunities.
• Support an inclusive, dignified and professional environment in which people are treated fairly regardless of background, identity, status or level of experience.
3. Unacceptable Conduct
• Personal attacks, insults, shouting, intimidation, threats or aggressive behaviour.
• Bullying, harassment, victimisation or discriminatory remarks relating to ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age or other protected characteristics.
• Knowingly spreading false information or misrepresenting The Space by AZM CIC internal discussions, opportunities or decisions.
• Improper pressure in selection, curation, or representation decisions : pressuring others to support or oppose an applicant for improper reasons.
• Misuse of the Company’s funds, records, branding, submissions, contacts or communication platforms.
• Unauthorized disclosure, misuse or exploitation of confidential information, submissions, creative concepts, images, documents, mailing lists, contact lists or other Company materials.
• Using a role within The Space by AZM CIC to seek improper personal advantage, private benefit or preferential treatment for oneself or connected persons.
4. Conflicts of Interest Purpose
• Any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest must be declared promptly.
• An individual with a conflict may be required to withdraw from discussion, assessment, scoring, recommendation, voting or decision-making on the relevant matter.
• Failure to disclose a conflict may be treated as misconduct.
5. Public and External Communications Purpose
• No individual may present themselves as speaking on behalf of the Company unless authorised to do so.
• Media statements, public statements and communications with the local authority or external bodies should follow the Company’s agreed approval process.
• Internal disagreements must not be escalated publicly in a manner that damages fairness, confidentiality or trust.
6. Use of Digital Platforms
• Official messaging groups and digital platforms must be used only for the Company purposes.
• Confidentiality obligations apply equally to digital communications.
• Screenshots, copied messages or recordings must not be shared outside authorised channels.
7. Breaches and Sanctions
• The Company may respond to a breach of this Code in a way that is proportionate to the seriousness of the matter. The Company may respond to misconduct by issuing advice, a recorded warning, removal from a meeting, temporary suspension from a role and its duties, removal from a digital platform, termination of a volunteer role, recommendation for removal from office where permitted by the constitution, or any other lawful governance action and appropriate step.
• Where a breach involves fraud, safeguarding, unlawful discrimination, confidentiality, threats, misuse of funds, serious conflict issues or reputational risk, the matter should be escalated promptly, documented, and may be referred to the appropriate authorities or regulators.
8. Safeguarding and Serious Concerns
• Any safeguarding issue, serious harassment concern, threat, discriminatory incident, serious confidentiality breach, misuse of funds, or other serious risk must be reported promptly through the appropriate escalation route.
• Individuals must cooperate with any reasonable safeguarding, conduct or governance review connected to matters arising under this Code.
9. Professional Expectations
• People acting in connection with The Space by AZM CIC should support a working environment that is calm, serious, professional and fit for cultural work, project delivery and fair decision-making.
• Everyone should take reasonable care with language, timing, confidentiality, tone and responsiveness, particularly when dealing with applicants, artists, designers, curators, venue partners and members of the public.
• Where disagreements arise, they should be handled through discussion, record-keeping and appropriate decision-making channels rather than through gossip, hostility, public disparagement or informal retaliation.
10. Related Policies
• This Code should be read alongside the Company's Conflicts of Interest Procedures, Confidentiality Requirements, Meetings Procedure, Digital Communications Policy, and Any Safeguarding, Complaints or Disciplinary Procedures adopted by The Space by AZM CIC.
11. Review
• This Code should be reviewed periodically and may be amended by the board in line with the constitution and the Company’s governance arrangements.