The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), headquartered in Duluth, is seeking four new board members. ARAC is one of 11 regional arts councils in Minnesota that use public and private funding to support the arts throughout the state. ARAC awards more than $500,000 annually to nonprofit organizations and artists in the seven-county Arrowhead Region through its 10 grant programs and enlists the help of community board members to represent each of the counties it serves.
Current openings for three-year terms starting July 1, 2017 include a representative from Aitkin County, a representative from Koochiching County, a representative from Cook County and a student liaison member (one-year term).
Who can apply?
Board members are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and involvement in the arts. ARAC is looking for individuals with knowledge of the arts, artists, artists from communities of color, arts supporters/collectors, or individuals working in and with knowledge of the regional arts community. ARAC strives to have panels that represent the racial, cultural, and geographic diversity of our region. Board member terms are three years in duration (one year for the student liaison), with the possibility to serve more than one term.
What do board members do?
Board members steer the organization by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies. Board members participate in policy-making regarding the council’s objectives and activities, advocate on behalf of the arts in the region, and oversee the financial health of the council. Board members attend 10 meetings a year (once a month except August and December), participate as governing committee members, and also review grant applications. Board members serve as volunteers but are paid a mileage reimbursement for attending meetings. They can also receive a small technology stipend.
Can I or the organization I work/ volunteer for still apply for funding if I’m a board member?
Yes. Board members can apply into ARAC grant programs as an individual artist or on behalf of an organization for which they serve. ARAC follows strict conflict of interest policies that are reviewed by the state; board members must fill out a conflict of interest disclosure form every year, and they cannot have any involvement in the review and/or approval of grants in any programs for which they’ve submitted an application.
For more information and to apply visit the board member page of our website at: aracouncil.org/for-our-community/ board-members/
The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 8, 2017.
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