Eastside Arts Society (Board Member Position with the Eastside Arts Society)

Organization Name: Eastside Arts Society
Opportunity Title: Board Member Position with the Eastside Arts Society
Category: Boards / Committee / Leadership
Commitment: Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: April 12, 2022
End Date: April 9, 2024

Email: md@eastsideartssociety.ca
Website: http://www.eastsideartssociety.ca
Opportunity Description:

The Eastside Arts Society Board of Directors is seeking candidates with legal, human resources, development, and/or marketing experience to fill Board vacancies.

ABOUT US

The Eastside Arts Society [EAS] is a registered charitable society that represents the highest concentration of artists per capita in the country. This vital organization’s initiative is to build capacity and sustainability for artists. It offers nationally recognized juried exhibits, it connects the community with local artists, and it provides arts programming for inner city schools.

EAS programs the signature Eastside Culture Crawl visual arts festival held in November, an open artist studio event, along with workshops and demonstrations, increases the public’s understanding and appreciation of the many varied visual art practices in our city’s Eastside. EAS has also launched a new summer festival, the CREATE Arts Festival, and is developing the Eastside Arts District. ART HAPPENS HERE!

PURPOSE

The Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the EAS and the development of the 3-year strategic plan. Through the strategic plan, the Board establishes goals for various committees (Space and Development Committees) and staff. Board members are  expected to join working committees.

The Board of Directors is guided by the Executive: a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. As supervisor of the staffing team, the Artistic & Executive Director (A&ED) reports to the Board of Directors during regular board meetings. The A&ED, along with the staff team, is responsible for delivering and implementing the programming and initiatives detailed in the strategic plan and day-to-day activities of the organization. The Board of Directors  is comprised of up to 50% artists.

TERMS

Board members are elected for two-year terms. Board members may also be appointed by the Board between Annual General Meetings and will come up for election at the next scheduled AGM (annually in April/May).

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Board experience with charitable and/or not-for-profit organizations
• Specifically searching for individuals who have legal, human resources, development, and/or marketing experience
• Excellent teamwork, communication, and time management skills
• Confident in participating in a dynamic group environment
• Comfortable attending public events to promote or represent the EAS
• Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age for this position

BENEFITS

• Professional development particularly in organizational and community development
• Engagement with a dynamic and motivated Board of Directors in governing the society
• Contributing to the organization’s vision of transforming the community through visual arts
• Expanding your professional and personal network
• Making a difference in your community and meeting others along the way
• Supporting arts in our community

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

• To determine the mission, vision and direction of the EAS
• To govern EAS with clear policies and objectives
• To ensure EAS’s financial health
• To monitor the Society’s programs and activities
• To support and promote fund development
• To enhance the public image of EAS
• To assess its own performance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regularly attend monthly board meetings
• Being prepared at board meetings, participating in discussions and decision-making
• Working collegially with other Directors and the Artistic & Executive Director
• Participating actively in committee work, task groups and fund development (events and sponsorship)
• Maintaining board business confidentiality
• Attending EAS events to stay informed about their quality, their popularity and to ensure a wide acquaintance among the membership

TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Role-specific training with the addition of shared online resources available for review (board training/orientation manual)
• Regular meetings with Board and A&ED
• Staff coordinates and implements organizational day to day activities, programming and initiatives

COMMITMENT

• 3-10 hours/month, varies depending on position and fluctuations in workload
• Attendance at 9 (nine) Board meetings per year, every second Tuesday of the month from 7-8PM including the AGM in April/May
• Ability to respond to emails/requests within a reasonable timeframe

We believe that the composition of our Board of Directors should reflect the diversity of the community we serve (particularly underrepresented and marginalized people) and that this diversity is central to both the health and vitality of our community and the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people of underrepresented and marginalized identities in East Vancouver, particularly Indigenous people, people of colour, people from working class backgrounds, and LGBTQ2S+ people.

HOW TO APPLY

Expressions of interest, including a 150-word bio, can be submitted via the online intake form by March 28th, 2022.  Please email md@eastsideartssociety.ca to receive the intake form link directly. Some applicants will be invited for an interview.