About ProArts+
Many organisations seeking support have to make a choice between expensive traditional law firms or consultancy practices. Keith Arrowsmith was one of the first lawyers who used new regulated structures to join up those business models, to get the best of both worlds. Keith has now set up his own company to give his clients even more choice. Now you can decide to access one of our online training packages, ask for a quote for our consultancy services, or seek legal advice using our relationship with associate law firms which are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
With offices in London and Sheffield, and using the latest in online technology, we can provide you with prompt and efficient guidance and advice from specialists in the sector.
Keith is a member of the Charity Law Association.
We'll work with you
We know about about change, and the pressures facing the sector. We offer a flexible, collaborative service, all with the reassurance of professional Codes of Conduct and professional indemnity insurance.
Accessible
We deliver services online and in person, taking account of your specific requirements. We draft EDI policies, but we also follow our own, without exception. We understand the challenges facing organisations, and we'll do what we can to provide our services in a transparent, easy to understand way.
Responsible
We think carefully about the resources we use to deliver our services, including buying renewable energy and using public transport. We recycle what we can, and encourage our clients to include climate clauses in their contracts and agreements. We also do what we can to support our teamwork in ways that support their home lives. We don't spend time on social media platforms, and spend time away from our desks - often taking part in our client's activities.
Keith Arrowsmith, Managing Director
Founder and managing partner, Keith is the driving force behind the company, and a long time passionate advocate for the arts. Keith qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and has, since then, helped charities and other organisations in the cultural, creative, heritage, and educational sectors. He provides guidance and assistance on governance, intellectual property, business law, contracts, website regulations and charity law. He also contributes to workshops, planning days, talks, written reports and provides other bespoke guidance. Projects include professional services for national institutions, local authority services, umbrella cultural organisations and theatres, museums and galleries of all shapes and sizes.
He started this company in 2024, having worked in high street and regional law firms. He provides guidance and assistance on governance, intellectual property, business law, contracts, website regulations and charity law. He also contributes to workshops, planning days, talks, written reports and provides other bespoke guidance.
Keith is a Governance Associate for the Clore Leadership Programme. He is one of the lead authors of the sector endorsed handbook, Governance in the Arts and Museums for Cultural Organisations and helped set up the Cultural Governance Alliance. In addition, he is a member of the Charity Law Association.
Keith has been recommended in the independent publications, Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. He was awarded a LLM for his research with Sheffield Hallam University relating to the use of Charity Governance Codes. For fun, Keith is a theatre director, producer and audience member.
Keith was played by actor Joel Fry in the recently-released Netflix film, Bank of Dave.
Jerry Knight-Smith, Solicitor
Jerry was admitted as a qualified solicitor in June 2024. Before retraining in law, he enjoyed many years at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre where he was Head of Casting and an Associate Director. Everything from musicals in the round to significant new plays, touring work to costume drama; he has ushered many hundreds of actors on to stage in Manchester. With a background in stage management and theatre production across the UK, he brings this broad experience and his long appreciation of the arts world to his work at ProArts+ and its clients.
Pam Johnson
Pamela brings a wealth of expertise in arts management and the wider creative industries to ProArts+. She has a degree in Performing Arts, and a PGCE and Diploma in Fundraising. With a track record in 1:1 support, helping small to medium sized organisations navigate growth, diversify their funding and shape business plans, she has a particular interest in charity governance and supporting boards to achieve best practice. Pamela has been a Trustee for over 20 years and is currently a Board member (HR Trustee and Safeguarding Lead) of The Met Arts Centre, Bury Greater Manchester.
Michael Birks
Michael is currently in his final year of his law degree at Sheffield Hallam University. His enthusiasm for the legal field led him to secure a competitive internship in the USA, where he spent six weeks gaining hands-on experience with an in-house legal team at a tech company in Chicago. During his placement, Michael developed his skills in dispute resolution, contract negotiation and redlining, intellectual property law, trademarks, and corporate processes. Now embarking on his professional journey as a paralegal at ProArts+, Michael is keen to apply his growing expertise to support organisations in the creative and cultural sectors.
