The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization – primarily ensuring financial health and providing strategic direction. The MRAC Board works in partnership with the MRAC staff team to ensure that the organization’s culture, practices, and relationships align with the values, mission and vision we set forth.

Board Responsibilities

Board members are elected for a three-year term and may be elected to a second term for a total of 6 years of service. We seek a balance of representation on the board – geographic, artistic discipline, constituent/non-constituent, age, racial/cultural background, gender, and organizational experience.

Each board member adds value to the organization by bringing their experiences as a resident of the region, a member of their community, an artist in their discipline, and many other circumstances that influence their whole being. The role of the board member is to bring those experiences to inform decisions made about the entire 7-county Metropolitan area.

It is important when members share information/insight about arts activities in their county and/or community.

The MRAC Board is responsible for setting and overseeing policy and broad direction of the organization. The staff is responsible for taking policy and board direction and putting it into action. The board does not get involved in program planning or management of the day-to-day operations of the organization.

The MRAC Board has 10 meetings per fiscal year, which is July 1 through June 30. Currently, they are on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. There is no meeting in August and December unless deemed necessary.

Prior to each board meeting, board members receive important materials related to decisions and discussions for the meeting- this can include financials, staff reports, funding recommendations, etc.

MRAC uses a committee system to do more in depth and additional work outside of the monthly board meetings. Current active committees include the Executive Committee, the Policy Committee, the Nominating and Engagement Committee, and the Board and Staff Engagement Committee – all committees are made up for board and staff members.

Board members may be called upon by staff for counsel and particular expertise.

Staff also relies on board members to make referrals of future panelists from their community and colleagues.

MRAC Board members are expected to be advocates of the arts and to understand the importance of the legislative process to MRAC’s funding. Including the relationships with the Forum of Regional Arts Councils of MN, the MN State Arts Board, and MN Citizens for the Arts.

MRAC Board members may be reimbursed for parking, mileage, or public transportation related to attendance to meetings and events where they are officially representing MRAC. Board members will be reimbursed at the same rate as grant review panel members. Requests for reimbursement shall be made using MRAC’s Volunteer Expense Reimbursement Form.

Board Member Accommodations

• No monetary contribution requirements
• Virtual meetings
  • Zoom with automated captioning options
  • CART captioning as requested
  • ASL interpretation as requested
  • Meetings are recorded
• Care reimbursement
  • Childcare reimbursement
  • Personal Care Attendant (PCA) reimbursement
• Board documents
  • Documents will be screen-reader friendly and can be reformatted as requested
  • Votes and comments can be submitted in alternative methods