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. All of our work is covered by our professional indemnity insurance, and we are supervised for anti-money laundering purposes by HMRC.
With offices in 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 solicitor, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and 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 onto 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 pro art plus and its clients.
Karen Newman
Finance Associate
Karen is a strategic finance leader with a proven record in transformation, financial stability and growth. A CIMA-qualified accountant with over 20 years’ experience across the commercial and charity sectors, she has held senior leadership roles at Live Nation Entertainment and Creative & Cultural Skills, where she strengthened her passion for supporting the arts and cultural industries.
Karen has extensive experience providing financial and governance oversight to Boards of Trustees, developing finance teams, and ensuring systems and policies promote compliance and best practice. Her leadership encompasses HR, IT, and corporate governance, bringing a broad, pragmatic and people-centred approach as a member of the ProArts+ team.
Daisy Bostanli
Practice Manager & Paralegal
Daisy completed her LLB at the University of Manchester with First Class Honours and was recognised with a number of academic awards. During her studies, she gained practical experience as a Legal Advisor at the University’s Legal Advice Centre, supporting clients in contract disputes and developing her skills in legal drafting and client management.
Since joining ProArts+, Daisy has been providing thoughtful and practical legal work for creative individuals and organisations, while further developing her skills in client communication, problem-solving, and collaborative teamwork.
Book a Slot
If you’d like to collaborate or discuss your next project, book a slot with the ProArtsPlus team — we’re here to make it happen.