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Nov 17, 2011Arts Council Needs To Get Structure Right
Wilmington’s artistic community, and Wilmington Gives Back, were pleased at yesterday’s announcement of a new Arts Council for Wilmington. This is a needed addition for the community. An effective council can be a great boost for developing the arts in our community and for bringing recognition to their intrinsic value as well as their economic value.
But one item in the State’s Press Release caught our eye, and not in a good way. Local arts leaders need to correct the course of action or we could have an organizational stumble coming out of the gate.
Not-for-profits get in trouble when Boards and staffs confuse their roles. Boards have the governance responsibility. They represent the owners of the organizaiton. Boards are responsible for determining the direction of the organization and assuring that it succeeds. Staff can be very influential in this process but must get its direction from the owners of the organization, not the other way around. Boards must then give staff the freedom and authority to carry out its vision. The State’s press release as reported in the Wilmington Business Journal has these roles reversed.
"From January to June, the executive director will recruit a board of directors, write and approve the business plan, conduct a comprehensive fundraising campaign, create a website and marketing campaign promoting the arts in New Hanover County, advocate for city and county investment in the arts council, develop relationships with key strategic partners and engage the community in listening sessions to build the foundation for its strategic plan" reported the Wilmington Business Journal article.
Having an executive director choose the board of directors, write the business plan and the marketing plan puts the Executive Director in the Board’s role. Local leaders need to correct this proposal and be sure the board is in charge.
You can read the entire article here. http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/industry_news_details.php?id=2971
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