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April 24, 2020

Join Our Board

ArtStarts Board of Directors 2020

ArtStarts in Schools is currently seeking individuals to join our Board of Directors with a focus on finance, strategy, and innovation. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis in May and June of 2020. Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply below.

About ArtStarts

ArtStarts is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that expands the role of art in education to activate learning and nurture creativity in British Columbia's young people. We focus on creating meaningful change where young people benefit most equitably and directly – in their schools and classrooms. Since 1996, ArtStarts has collaborated with educators, artists, families, and communities to promote art as an essential part of learning and life.

As an arts organization that works with young people, we have an important role to play in advancing and strengthening the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Social justice through the arts is a powerful approach and now an integrated part of our work towards mission impact. You can read more about our mission, vision, guiding principles, and our commitment to anti-oppression here: ArtStarts.com/about.

Position Description

2020 is shaping up to be a year of significant change for ArtStarts as we simultaneously navigate a leadership transition, upgrade our technical systems to streamline administrative processes, continue to learn how to apply an equity and decolonization lens to our work, and respond to the myriad impacts of a global pandemic.

At this critical and exciting time, we are seeking to fill 2-4 openings on our small and committed Board of Directors. Successful candidates will contribute their experience, perspectives, and skills to govern ArtStarts with a focus on three key areas: fiduciary (legal compliance and accountability), strategic (setting priorities and planning for the future), and generative (big picture questions and blue sky thinking).

Candidate Profile

Do several of the following statements describe you? If so, we want to hear from you!

  • Excitement about and belief in the ArtStarts mission, vision, values, and guiding principles
  • Understanding of non-profit governance, and interest in exploring emerging new models
  • Experience and/or willingness to advocate for systemic change within arts and education
  • Actively involved and connected within the BC arts and/or education communities
  • Familiarity with and commitment to anti-oppression principles and practices
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to future-oriented conversations
  • Capacity to work as part of a collaborative and creative team, leading and following others
  • Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, and flex with emergent needs
  • Commitment to ongoing personal learning, reflection, and growth.

Ideal candidates will be keen to contribute expertise and networks in one of the following: 

  • Arts Education (artist &/or educator who advocates for systems change & arts integration)
  • Anti-oppression (experience applying justice, equity, inclusion principles in organizations)
  • Finance (strategic accounting, budgeting, banking or investment)
  • Fund development (individual donors, grant writing and/or organizational funders)
  • Governance (knowledge and experience with boards, interest in emerging new models)

We encourage all applicants who are interested and believe they could make a valuable contribution to apply, regardless of your professional experience. We encourage applications from members of communities that are marginalized or with lived experience of structural discrimination, including those identifying as Black, Indigenous, people of colour, LGBTQ2IA+, and those living with a visible or invisible disability. We would also particularly welcome applications from youth (aged 18-25), and from those based in BC regions outside of the Lower Mainland. 

ArtStarts is committed to providing all members of the board with an appropriate orientation to the organization and their role as Directors, to ensure all Board Members are effectively engaged and able to make a valuable contribution.

Responsibilities

  • Support and advocate for the mission and vision of ArtStarts
  • Commit to ongoing learning about yourself in relation to equity and anti-oppression
  • Contribute your perspective and pose valuable questions related to your area(s) of expertise
  • Attend and actively participate in discussions during monthly board meetings
  • Serve on the Governance or Finance committee and/or Task Forces as required
  • Appropriately collaborate with the Managing Director and staff leadership team
  • Contribute time and energy to carry out board responsibilities (such as hiring and managing the ED, strategic planning, resource development, or board development)
  • Act as an ambassador of ArtStarts to external stakeholders and your own networks
  • Attend and support special events as required

Time commitment
The average monthly time commitment is estimated to be 4-6 hours.

Given the current global pandemic, we are planning for virtual monthly Board meetings. When the board is able to meet in person again, we plan to resume our previous practice of meeting 2-3 times per year. This requires additional travel time for out-of-town members, and ArtStarts will pay travel expenses for those members to attend. Board members are also expected to serve on a committee, which involves attending approximately 4 to 8 virtual meetings per year and working on deliverables between meetings.

Benefits & Recognition
Volunteers who contribute their time and knowledge as ArtStarts board members benefit from: 

  • The opportunity to influence positive social change across the province;
  • The chance to make a significant contribution to the growth and success of ArtStarts;
  • The development of leadership skills through committees and/or projects of the Board;
  • Professional growth opportunities through trainings, guest speakers, and workshops; 
  • Meaningful relationships with fellow volunteers, staff, and community; 
  • Strengthened strategic and visionary thinking skills;
  • Increased inspiration and chances to spark your own individual creativity

To apply
Please apply with a cover letter and resume with “Board Member Application” in the subject line, and send it to ArtStarts Governance Committee, at [email protected].

Cover letter to answer the following two questions:

  1. What do you hope to gain from being an ArtStarts board member?
  2. What do you hope to contribute as an ArtStarts board member?

Interviews will take place on a rolling basis in May and June 2020.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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