Open Call: Join Terrain Exhibitions Board of Directors
Terrain Exhibitions is seeking a spectrum of enthusiastic cultural producers and community members to join our Board of Directors. The Board is composed of individuals working to drive and support the vision, strategy, and financial oversight of Terrain Exhibitions.
Mission and History:
Terrain Exhibitions brings contemporary art where it is most needed and least expected: yards, front steps, windows, porches, and roofs in residential neighborhoods across the U.S. (and beyond). This is an act of radical decentralization, taking art from privileged urban centers and bringing it into everyday spaces. By forging partnerships between artists and citizens, we create greater access for new and underserved audiences for contemporary art, empowering neighbors to make private spaces public in a spirit of generosity and collaboration.
Terrain Exhibitions was founded in 2011 by the late artist, curator, and educator Sabina Ott. Over the course of seven years, Ott invited over a hundred artists to exhibit site specific works in her front yard and on the porch at her home in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2013, the Terrain Biennial – an international art festival that takes place on lawns, in front yards, on porches, beneath awnings, and in windows -- was launched. In 2019, Terrain Exhibitions became a 501c3 Not for Profit organization established in the State of Illinois and has been led by a working Board of Directors. Terrain Exhibitions continues to produce the Terrain Biennial, generates ancillary programming in support of our mission, and hosts the Terrain Residency in Springfield, Illinois with our partners, the Springfield Art Association, and the Enos Park Residency Program.
Nominations:
Nominate yourself or a colleague to serve on the Board of Directors for Terrain Exhibitions. Board members drive operational and strategic oversight, exhibitions and events, marketing and promotion, fundraising, and all other facets of operations. This working group of members spends an average of five to eight hours per month on committee and program activities, with an increased time commitment as necessary in advance of, and during, the Terrain Biennial.
Terrain Exhibitions believes that its board of directors should reflect the diversity of cultural producers and community members it serves. Terrain Exhibitions strongly encourages and welcomes BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and/or people with disabilities to apply to join our board.
Candidates should possess some or all of the following qualities:
A knowledge and passion for accessible visual arts and public programming
A commitment to serving and supporting marginalized artists and individuals
A commitment to serving and supporting under-served and underrepresented communities
An ability to foster and sustain relationships
A willingness to commit time, energy, and resources to drive the organizational and strategic needs of Terrain Exhibitions
General expectations include:
Serve a minimum of one two-year term and up to two terms for a total of four consecutive years of service
Participate in Board meetings as they are scheduled, 6 to 10 times a year (remotely and/or on site)
Serve on at least one committee
Work to present future iterations of the Terrain Biennial
We seek individuals that are working in, or are familiar with, contemporary art, arts administration, and public art. As part of our continued effort to give shape and grow as a relatively new non-profit, we also seek nominees who are knowledgeable in one or more of the following areas:
Finance and Accounting
Marketing and Fundraising
Law
Community partnerships
To nominate:
Self-nominations or the nomination of peers are welcome. To nominate, submit a letter of interest and a resume/CV to info@terrainexhibitions.org by October 4th, 11.59pm CST. In your letter of interest, please tell us about your interest in Terrain Exhibitions and note any skills, experience or perspective that you would bring to the Board.