By serving on a nonprofit board of directors, professionals learn to lead and influence people, manage risk, resolve conflict, practice creative decision-making, and help strengthen the community. Business participants gain extensive and diverse exposure to the arts industry; opportunities to network with arts organizations and other professionals across industries; and the chance to work in a visible role with other community leaders.
Arts Board Matching features a robust mix of networking, learning and more!
The Ideal Candidate for Arts Board Matching:
- Holds a mid-level position OR has retired with newfound time to engage in volunteerism
- Has 3+ years of business experience
- Desires to serve an arts organization in the Greater Nashville area
- Seeks to network with a variety of individuals
Participants are equipped for board service and success in the arts through four, online training sessions over the course of four months. After completing the training, participants are invited to attend a fun, interactive Matching Event, where they meet with with representatives from selected local arts organizations. After the Matching Event, participants are matched with arts organizations for potential board service. Keep in mind that not every organization may be matched with a board candidate.
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.
Arts Board Matching Spring 2023 Dates*
ABM is a hybrid program offering two, in-person events and four, online training sessions.
Arts Board Matching Welcome Mixer
Wednesday, February 22, 2023: 5:30-7 p.m.
In-person
Session 1: An Overview of the Arts Industry
Friday, March 3, 2023: 8–10 a.m.
Online
Session 2: Board Governance & Legal Considerations
Friday, April 7, 2023: 8–10 a.m.
Online
Session 3: Fiduciary & Fundraising Responsibilities
Friday, May 5, 2023: 8–10 a.m.
Online
Session 4: Strategic Planning & Arts Advocacy
Friday, June 2, 2023: 8–10 a.m.
Online
Arts Board Matching Event
Wednesday, June 7, 2023: 5–8 p.m.
In-person
*Times and locations are subject to change.
How to apply
For Business Professionals & Current Board Members: Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the Spring 2023 cohort. If you are a business professional interested in board service, complete the future board member application linked below. Already on a board but want to brush up with board member training, apply as a current board member below. Know someone who would make a great Arts Board Member? Nominate them by January 18 at Noon and we’ll invite them to apply. Applications have closed for the Spring 2023 cohort.
The program fee is $750 for business professionals who wish to be matched with an arts nonprofit for board service. Current board members may participate in the training portion for $375 provided the nonprofit they serve is a member of the Arts & Business Council. Most participants’ employers pay the participation fee, but some participants pay it themselves. Corporate donors at the $2,500 level and above may nominate an employee for complimentary participation in Arts Board Matching.
For Arts Organizations: Arts organizations seeking new board members are invited to apply to participate in the Arts Board Matching Event on June 7, 2023. Applications are being accepted through March 29, 2023 at Noon. We will contact all organizations that apply once the deadline has passed.
Complete an Arts Organization Application
*Please note that organizations must be members of the Arts & Business Council to be considered for the Matching Event and to be matched with a business professional for potential board service. If you have any questions about Arts Board Matching or the Matching Event, please contact us at info@abcnashville.org.
“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