The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) is seeking new board members to begin three-year terms in the next fiscal year (starting July 1, 2026).
If you are interested, please tell us more about yourself by filling out this application form.
General Information
The Board of Directors is the voluntary, governing body of MRAC, working primarily to safeguard financial health and provide strategic direction. The MRAC Board works in partnership with staff to ensure that the organization’s culture, practices, and relationships align with our stated mission and guiding principles.
We seek a balance of diverse geographic and demographic representation, but board members are required to reside in one of the seven metro counties. You don’t have to be an artist, but you have to love the arts. 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. There is no financial contribution requirement.
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 seven-county metropolitan area.
We are currently looking for board members from Scott county. Ideal expertise includes any of the following: nonprofit governance, finance, legal, human resources, arts advocacy, and experience working in the public sector.
Please see below for a list of board responsibilities and commitments.
For more information, contact Kathy Mouacheupao at kathy@mrac.org.
If you are interested, please tell us more about yourself by filling out this application form.
Board Responsibilities
The MRAC Board is responsible for setting and overseeing policy as well as the broad direction of the organization. Staff are responsible for taking policy and putting it into action. The board is not involved in program planning or management of day-to-day operations.
It is important for members to share information and insights about arts activities, community needs, and experiences in their county and/or community, while making decisions that consider the impact of the entire seven-county metropolitan region.
MRAC Board members are expected to be advocates of the arts and to understand the importance of the legislative process to MRAC’s funding. This includes maintaining relationships with the Forum of Regional Arts Councils of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Arts Board, and MN Citizens for the Arts.
MRAC uses a committee system to do more in-depth work outside of the monthly board meetings. Current active committees include the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, and the Nominating Committee.
MRAC has a conflict of interest policy that is strictly followed but does not prevent board members from applying or being a grantee on behalf of their arts organization.
Board members may be called upon by staff for counsel and particular expertise.
Commitments
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, 4:30–6:30 pm. There is no meeting in August or December unless deemed necessary. Most meetings are held over Zoom, with quarterly meetings in-person. Zoom meetings have automated captioning options, and ASL interpretation can be provided on request.
Prior to each board meeting, members receive materials related to decisions and discussions for the meeting. This can include financials, staff reports, funding recommendations, or other information. It is the responsibility of the board member to review materials before the meeting.
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. Additionally, childcare or personal care attendant (PCA) reimbursement is available. Board members will be reimbursed at the same rate as grant review panel members.