Arts Board Matching

Arts Board Matching (ABM) promotes dynamic leadership in the arts by cultivating the skills needed to be effective, engaged board members and making matches between business professionals and arts organizations in need of adept leaders. We believe there is exceptional talent at all levels of management within corporations and small businesses that can make great contributions to our arts nonprofits. By serving on a nonprofit board of directors, business professionals develop the skills necessary to lead and influence people, manage risk and resolve conflict. Professionals gain extensive exposure to the nonprofit arts sector, opportunities to network with other professionals, and the chance to assume visible roles alongside other community leaders within local nonprofit arts organizations.

ABM offers a robust mix of learning and networking.

The ideal candidate for Arts Board Matching:
  • Is currently in a mid-level role or recently retired with time to dedicate to volunteer work
  • Brings 3+ years of business experience
  • Is eager to network with diverse professionals
  • Has a passion for serving arts organizations in the Greater Nashville area
Already on a board but need a brush-up? We have a few spots saved for you as well! Apply by completing the current board member application linked below.
Participants network with peers, ABM alumni, and ABC board members & staff at a Welcome Mixer for each class and are equipped for board service and success in the arts through four, weekly training sessions in March 2025. After completing the training, participants are invited to attend a fun, interactive Matching Event, where they meet directly with representatives from select local arts organizations. After the Matching Event, participants are matched with arts organizations for potential board service.

Arts Board Matching Spring 2025 Dates*

CURRENT & ASPIRING BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND THE FOLLOWING:

Arts Board Matching Welcome Mixer Wednesday, February 26, 2025: 5:30-7 p.m.* In-person, Tennessee Performing Arts Center Kick off the program by by connecting with fellow participants, program alumni, and Arts & Business Council board and staff members.

Session 1: Key Issues Facing Nashville’s Nonprofit Arts Sector Tuesday, March 4, 2025: 8–10:30 a.m.* In-person, Belmont University The key challenges and opportunities currently impacting Nashville’s nonprofit arts sector and how you can affect change in your role as a board member.

Session 2: Creating a Sense of Belonging within Arts Organizations Tuesday, March 11, 2025: 8–10:30 a.m.* In-person, Belmont University Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for board, staff and community members within your arts organization.

Session 3: Understanding the Legal & Fiduciary Duties of Board Members Tuesday, March 18, 2025: 8–10:30 a.m.* In-person, Belmont University A thorough overview of the legal and fiduciary responsibilities that come with serving on a board including duties of care, loyalty, and obedience as well as governance best practices, risk management, and nonprofit compliance.

Session 4: Arts Advocacy & Funding Your Mission Tuesday, March 25, 2025: 8–10:30 a.m* In-person, Belmont University Proven strategies to be an effective advocate at the local, state and national levels to secure funding and support for your organization’s mission.

Arts Board Matching Event** Wednesday, April 2, 2025: 5:30–8 p.m.* In-person, Location to be announced Join us for a fun, interactive Matching Event where participants will meet directly with representatives from select local arts organizations. After the event, participants are matched with organizations for potential board service.

*Times and locations are subject to change. **Only aspiring board members will be matched. Current board members are invited to attend the Matching Event to network with colleagues and receive their completion certificates. Please note that while we strive for successful matches, not every organization will be paired with a candidate, and not all matches may lead to board service.

REPRESENTATIVES OF ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND THE FOLLOWING:

Creating a Sense of Belonging within Arts Organizations** Tuesday, March 11, 2025: 8–10:30 a.m.* In-person Learn how to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for board, staff and community members within your arts organization.

Arts Board Matching Event** Wednesday, April 2, 2025: 5:30–8 p.m.* In-person Join us for a fun, interactive Matching Event where participants will meet directly with representatives from select local arts organizations. After the event, participants are matched with organizations for potential board service.

*Times and locations are subject to change. **To participate in the Matching Event, arts organizations must send at least two board or staff members to a 2-hour training session once per calendar year. Participating organizations must be members of the Arts & Business Council. Please note that while we strive for successful matches, not every organization will be paired with a candidate, and not all matches may lead to board service.

How to apply

For Current & Aspiring Board Members: We’re now accepting nominations and applications for the Spring 2025 cohort! Whether you're a current board member or looking to join a board, we have opportunities for you. Early applications are due by December 15, 2024, and the final deadline is January 17, 2025.
  • If you're a business professional interested in serving on a board, fill out the aspiring board member application below.
  • Already serving on a board but want more training? Apply as a current board member.
  • Know someone who’d be great on an arts board? Nominate them, and we’ll invite them to apply!

Apply as a Aspiring Board Member

Apply as a Current Board Member

The participation fee is $1,000 ($850 for early applicants) for business professionals looking to be matched with an arts nonprofit for board service. Current board members can join the training for $500 ($425 for early applicants) if their nonprofit is a member of the Arts & Business Council. Many participants have their fees covered by their employers, but some pay themselves. Download the program one sheet for additional program information to provide to your employer or email us.
For Arts Organizations: Arts organizations seeking new board members are invited to apply to participate in the Arts Board Matching Event. The application deadline is Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Apply as an Arts Organization

Arts organizations must be members of the Arts & Business Council to participate. Each organization is required to send at least two board or staff members to an in-person training on fostering belonging in arts organizations and to attend the Matching Event. For any questions about Arts Board Matching or the Matching Event, please email us.
Highlights of past company participants: Bank of Nashville; Baker Donelson; Bass, Berry & Sims; Big Events, Inc.; Bradley; Bridgestone; Centric Architecture; Deloitte; Earl Swensson Associates; Emma; Faulkner Mackie & Cochran; First Tennessee; Hastings Architecture; JP Morgan Chase; Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain; Mars Petcare; Nashville Electric Service; Oak Tree Properties; Patterson; Waller; and more. Highlights of past arts organization participants: AbleVoices; Actors Bridge Ensemble; Alias Chamber Ensemble; The Beat of Life; Borderless Arts Tennessee; chatterbird; Early Music City; Free Fyre; Jazz Empowers; Jefferson Street Sound Museum; Make Music Nashville; Museum of Contemporary Art Nashville; Nashville Ballet; Nashville Children's Theatre; Nashville Design Week; Nashville in Harmony; Nashville Jazz Workshop; Nashville Opera; Nashville Shakespeare Festival; Nashville Symphony; New Dialect; Moves & Grooves; The Porch Writers' Collective; Poverty & the Arts; Southern Word; Street Theatre Company; Tennessee Craft; Turnip Green Creative Reuse; Your Heart on Art; and more.
"Street Theatre Company has been fortunate enough to have participated in two Speed Dating sessions with the Arts Board Matching program and with great success. The two board members who joined our organization thanks to the program are dedicated and committed to the organization, have skill sets that were very much needed on our board, and have a great understanding of what it means to be an active board member.   We are grateful for this program!" – Cathy Street, Street Theatre Company
"The Arts & Business Council’s Arts Board Matching Program fundamentally changed the way I view my board service and made me a much more effective board member and advocate for the causes close to my heart. I am so grateful for this program and the almost overwhelming amount of information and assistance I received in such a short amount of time. While the program is geared towards the arts, the knowledge I received and skills I’ve developed have been incredibly beneficial to my non-arts related board service as well. If you’re thinking about applying I heartily encourage you to do so, you will be so glad you did!" — Casey Mulligan, Class of 2018, Pinnacle Financial Partners

Advancing Racial Diversity through Arts Board Matching

Did you know that 78% of nonprofit board members and 83% of nonprofit board chairs are white?* To increase the diversity of board members across Nashville's nonprofit arts sector, Arts Board Matching creates a pipeline of professionals of color ready to lead in the arts.
*Source: Leading with Intent: Reviewing the State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on Nonprofit Boards, BoardSource, 2021
Arts Board Matching will promote racial diversity by:
  • Increasing racial diversity within arts nonprofit boards across Nashville by recruiting at least 40% professionals of color for each class.
  • Strengthening the governance knowledge and skills of professionals of color.
  • Empowering participating arts nonprofits to create inclusive and equitable environments for board members of color.

Become a Partner

To create a more diverse pipeline of business professionals, the support of corporate and business partners is essential. Contact us at [email protected] if your company is interested in being a partner in advancing racial diversity in the arts.