BEING Studio invites applications to join its Board of Directors

Join us as we continue to evolve BEING into a thriving world-renowned disability-led arts organization. Applications from disability-identified persons will be prioritized.

BEING is an independent, not-for-profit, charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. We are dedicated to supporting the participation and professional practice of artists with developmental disabilities. www.beingstudio.ca

Who we’re looking for:

BEING is strongly committed to equity and values diversity. We encourage applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of racialized communities and LGBTQ-identified persons. Applications from disability-identified persons will be prioritized.

The board welcomes applicants with a wide diversity of knowledge and experience and seeks in particular to find directors with expertise in the following areas:

• Human Resource management and labor relations

• Legal/paralegal

• Governance and compliance

• Facilities/space development and capital improvement, and pre-feasibility studies

• Fundraising and cultivating sponsorships (particularly in the arts);

Ideal candidates will possess some or all of the following qualities:

• A desire to help build and sustain an important Disability Arts organization in Ottawa;

• A commitment to participating in building BEING’s vision, mandate and strategic priorities;

• A willingness to lead and/or support BEING’s fundraising efforts;

• A commitment to representing the Board at events hosted by BEING and within the community;

• An insistence on the importance of diverse experiences, opinions and perspectives;

• A collegial demeanor and an ability to work as part of a team;

• Demonstration of high ethical standards and integrity;

• The ability to see the big picture, to ask relevant and probing questions at the strategic level, to challenge management's assumptions when needed, and to differentiate between governance and management responsibilities;

• The ability to read and understand financial statements is considered an asset;

• Prior experience on a board of directors is considered an asset but is not required.

Time commitment and what to expect:

• You must be willing to commit time, energy, and resources to fully participate in all board meetings (6 per year), the annual general meeting (1 annually), and additional committee meetings as they arise (2-4 per year depending on the committee);

• New directors will be voted in during the Annual General Meeting in September 2022;

• Regular board meetings will begin with an orientation in October 2022;

• Board meetings take place every other month (currently on Wednesday evenings at 6PM but this can be discussed and changed to accommodate conflicts);

• For the time-being, meetings are held virtually over Zoom. We welcome applicants from outside of Ottawa, however local applicants will be prioritized.

• Board meetings are typically between 1.5 and 2 hours in length;

• Directors are additionally expected to provide strategic guidance to the Executive Director in occasional one-on-one meetings, as well as contributing to at least one committee (current committees are working in areas of governance, fundraising, and finance);

• In all you can expect to spend up to 5 hours per month, preparing for and participating in meetings.

If you think that you could contribute to the ongoing evolution of BEING and are inspired by the work we do, we encourage you to apply.

Application deadline: Friday, Sep 9, 2022

To apply, please submit an expression of interest (max. 500 words) outlining your understanding of what BEING is trying to achieve and how your experience can help us get there, as well as a brief biography (max 250 words). Kindly use the subject line: BEING Board of Directors, and address your application to Zoey Feder: zfeder@gmail.com

Questions?

Contact Zoey Feder: zfeder@gmail.com

Thank you for your interest! We will only be contacting candidates selected for an interview.

About BEING

Based in Ottawa, BEING Studio is located in the Bronson Centre and provides access to tools, art supplies and facilitation support for its member artists. Programming includes learning and skill sharing opportunities, workshops with guest artists, as well as mentorship and exhibition opportunities. BEING represents artists commercially, promoting and selling their art work to galleries and collectors to benefit its members.

BEING Studio has been continually adapting to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, launching a virtual program called BEING Home in April 2020. The virtual program offers facilitated chat sessions, home art supply deliveries and video prompts to inspire art projects from home.

We are seeking Directors to join us in this dynamic and exciting period of growth. We now face an exciting time of potential expanded impact through sustained online programming beyond the pandemic, while also seeking to maintain and grow core programs at the physical studio in the Bronson Centre.

BEING Studio logo.

Artists

Ada Chan

Alanna Price

Alexa Vanveen

Alexander Stuber

Alixe Hysert

Amanda Lloyd

Analisa Kiskis

Andre Lanthier

Anna Coulombe

Ashley Hiscott

Ben Bourgeois

Bradley Millar

Caroline Joanisse

Charisse Rayne

Chris Glor-Bell

Chris Maveety

Christine Hammond

Claire Nedzela

Debbie Ratcliffe

Doug Garrow

Elaine Bell

Emmanuel Asrat

Frances Laube

Henry Hong

Jake Riseborough

Jenny Francis

Jessica Whitney

Jessie Huggett

Jessie McComb

Joanna Panuccio

Julie Fletcher

Maggie Hart

Malinda Caron

Maria Aguilar-Cruz

Marika Smart

Megan Donovan

Mike Hinchcliff

Monika Roots

Nadia Walji

Nicole Paquin

Richard Bolduc

Sarah Cousineau

Sharlene Cooney

Suzan Ozkul

Tracey King