The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is Seeking New Board Members

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is currently accepting applications from individuals wishing to serve on its Board. The following four Board positions will be open as of July 1, 2009: the Student Ad Hoc position, the Lake County position, and two At-large Board positions. The ARAC serves individual artists and non-profit arts organizations who reside in the seven counties which make up the Arrowhead Region: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis.

The ARAC is looking for individuals with knowledge of various art forms and perspectives. Active artists working in all disciplines; artists from communities of color; arts supporters/collectors; and individuals with knowledge of the regional arts community and arts organizations are encouraged to apply.

The ARAC meets the third Thursday of each month except August and December. Council members serve as panelists to award project based funding to regional non-profit arts organizations and artists. Board members also have the opportunity to evaluate the art needs in the region and develop programs that stimulate the regional arts community. Council members serve as volunteers, but are paid a mileage reimbursement for attending meetings. A board term is two years and a Board member may serve two consecutive terms. Serving on the Board gives an individual the opportunity to learn about arts activities in the region; increase their knowledge of grant writing and the review process; network with other artists and arts professionals; and have input into matters that affect arts funding in the region.

The ARAC is the primary funding source for artists and arts organizations in northeastern Minnesota, awarding over $160,000 in grants this year. The ARAC administers three grant programs for regional non-profit arts organizations and three grant programs for regional artists as well as oversees the Artist Relief Fund, which offers financial assistance to artists confronted with a career-threatening emergency. These programs are made possible through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature, The McKnight Foundation and the Artist Relief Fund. The ARAC also provides free grant writing workshops and technical assistance to regional artists and arts organizations and presents the Arrowhead Arts Awards, which annually recognize an outstanding regional artist and arts advocate. The ARAC works in partnership with the Minnesota State Arts Board and the other eleven Regional Arts Councils to promote the arts throughout Minnesota.

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, May 1, 2009. The available terms run from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. Individuals may apply directly or be nominated by others. For more information about Board responsibilities, the Council and its programs or to receive an application form, contact the ARAC office at [email protected]; 1-218-722-0952 or 1-800-569-8134. A Board application form can be downloaded from the ARAC website: www.aracouncil.org.