V.com weekend vote: Have you served on a board or committee for an arts organization?

September 1, 2024, 1:30 PM · There was a time when I thought that symphonies just WERE, that arts education programs simply existed, that institutions like museums were as permanent as mountains.

Little did I know how much effort went into creating those opportunities for students to learn, for teachers to teach, for professionals to perform, for audiences to gather and listen, for art and music to have a safe place in the world.

After decades in the arts, I know very well how much the existence of our musical and arts institutions depends on the efforts of volunteer boards and committees.

A board helps plan for the future, hire administrators and directors, plan for the institution's financial future, etc. A committee can be involved in everything from planning a competition or festival to representing the musicians negotiating a union contract.

There are all kinds of boards and committees that one can serve. For example: symphony boards. This week brought some news about the LA Phil board of directors electing a new Chair, Jason Subotky, who will serve the institution as it chooses a new music director to replace Gustavo Dudamel, among other things. It's quite a responsibility.

And there are musician committees. Recently a number of my friends served on a committee that succeeded in working out an agreement related to streaming residuals and AI protections for musicians working in film and television - their work will directly affect musicians in the area, and it also sets a precedent for how this will be dealt with in other areas.

There are also boards for organizations that serve the cause of arts education. For the last two years I have been serving on the board of the California American Strings Teachers Association (ASTA)'s Los Angeles section and in July started serving as its president. That organization aims to advance string teaching, performing, and scholarship. Having strong educational programs at every level - primary and secondary school teaching, studio teaching, university teaching - strengthens our art and helps ensure its future.

Have you ever served on a board or committee for an arts organization? Tell us all about it - what was the organization? What was (or is) your experience? Any advice for others who are doing this? From your vantage, what is the importance of doing this kind of work? How do you make time for it? Please participate in the vote and then share your thoughts in the comments.

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Replies

Mary Ellen Goree

September 2, 2024 at 12:00 AM · I served many years on orchestra committees and negotiating committees.

Diana Skinner

September 2, 2024 at 01:48 PM · I currently serve on the Board of two arts organizations: Amadeus Concert Ensemble and Beethoven in the Rockies. While board service can certainly be headache-inducing, I've found it to be tremendously rewarding to expand my thinking beyond my personal needs as a performer to the broader needs of an organization.

Paul Deck

September 2, 2024 at 03:40 PM · Well, I'm on the board of my local community orchestra but I hardly count that. It's my job to organize who brings the cookies next week, and I'm not kidding

Laurie Niles

September 2, 2024 at 04:14 PM · Someone has to bring the cookies, Paul. They don't just march in there on their own.