AFA Recruiting Board Members from Central and Southern Regions.

The AFA is currently seeking applications for members of the Board of Directors, including the Chair. The Board is responsible for allocating the annual budget, approving AFA grants and scholarships, approving and monitoring the acquisition, exhibition and preservation of works in the AFA Art Collection, and developing the AFA Strategic Plan.

To ensure the Board retains a province-wide perspective, we are specifically interested in submissions from residents of Central and Southern Alberta. The extended deadline for application is May 24, 2016. See the full posting here.

For more information, please contact Carrie Weinrich, Alberta Culture and Tourism Human Resources at carrie.weinrich@gov.ab.ca or 780-644-8736 (toll-free by calling 310-0000 first).

Deadline Extended: May 24, 2016.

ORIGINAL POSTING:

Role: The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is the Government of Alberta’s arts funding agency and is currently accepting applications to fill Board vacancies, including the Chair, on the Board of Directors from the following regions: Central and Southern Regions.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts was established in 1991 as a crown agency of the Government of Alberta. The purposes of the Foundation, as stipulated in the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Act are to:

• Support and contribute to the development of, and to promote, the arts in Alberta;
• Provide persons and organizations with the opportunity to participate in the arts in Alberta;
• Foster and promote the enjoyment of works of art by Alberta artists;
• Collect, preserve and display works of art by Alberta artists; and
• Encourage artists resident in Alberta in their work. 

The AFA Board is responsible for policy and funding decisions in support of Alberta artists and arts organizations. The Board oversees AFA programming and operations that implement the AFA Strategic Plan. This includes the review and approval of all grants, awards and the acquisition art for the AFA Collection.

Responsibilities of a Director (Board Member) include:

• Developing a Strategic Plan for the Foundation and reviewing it on an annual basis;
• Conducting an annual evaluation and review of the performance of the Foundation, Standing Committees, the Foundation Chair and individual directors of the Foundation;
• Serving on Committees of the Board as designated by the Chair including the Finance and Strategy Committee, Grants Committee, Art Collection Committee and Research and Communication Committee;
• Managing its expenditures within its estimated revenues; and
• Complying with the government’s financial, administrative and internal control policies.

To achieve its mission, the Foundation has adopted three strategic goals each with detailed annual action plans, outcomes and measurements to guide implementation:

• Provide Albertans with resources and opportunities to develop, appreciate and participate in the arts;
• Strengthen Albertans’ value of the arts as an expression of their culture; and
• Ensure the AFA art collection is well known to Albertans and recognized nationally and internationally for leadership in championing Alberta’s artists and providing access to Alberta’s most significant artworks.

The Minister and the Agency are seeking a Chair and Directors who are fully informed on matters related to the mandate and participate in the board’s deliberations and decisions in matters of policy, finance and programs.

Duties for AFA Board Directors include the following:

• Approve, where appropriate, policy and other recommendations received from the board, its standing committees, and senior staff;
• Hear and make decisions on all policy-based grant issues;
• Be familiar with and understand all board policies;
• Review the board’s structure, bylaws and policy manual, and recommend changes where necessary;
• Participate in the regular review of the AFA’s Strategic Plan;
• Develop and approve the AFA budget;
• Support and participate in an evaluation of his/her effectiveness as a board director and semi-annually complete a board director self-evaluation;
• Participate in an annual Board Assessment survey;
• Assist in developing and maintaining positive and productive relations among the board, committees and community to enhance the mandate of the AFA;
• Promote the work of the AFA informally in his/her community and at arts events and relay community feedback about arts funding to the Board; and,
• Follow board policy at all times when in contact with the community and staff, including the board’s code of conduct and ethics disclosing any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

The Chair’s additional specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Calls and presides at all meetings of the Board or arranges for Vice- chair to fill that role if necessary;
• Is an ex-officio member of all committees;
• Establish committees and appoint Board Directors to such committees;
• Act as the principal interface with the Executive Director to ensure the department is aware of all Board matters;
• Ensure that policy strategy, plans and activities are appropriately represented to the Board and other stakeholders;
• Ensure that the Board has full governance of Board business and affairs and that the Board is alert to its obligations to stakeholders the department and government;
• Provide strong leadership of the Board; leads the Board in reviewing and monitoring the goals, strategy, policy and directions of the Board and the achievement of its objectives;
• Ensure that the Board fulfills all the activities and obligations set out in the Board Mandate and Roles; and
• Primary contact between the Board and the Minister.

Applicants should have a background of involvement in, or passion for, the arts. Additionally applicants should be able to demonstrate strategic thinking, accountability and be able to conduct board business with integrity. Experience in communications, marketing or promotion, financial experience or professional designation, and a demonstrated interest and ability to gain working knowledge of GoA and Ministry business plans, policies, and procedures are all considered to be assets. The Chair and all Board Directors must be able to effectively utilize internal and external resources to achieve organizational goals. In order to increase the diversity of the board, applicants from a multicultural or Indigenous background are encouraged to apply.

Appointment of each AFA Board Director is typically for a fixed term of one to two years. Individuals who are Alberta residents may apply for appointment to the AFA Board. Applicants are expected to provide complete resumes including the names of three references.

How to Apply: Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Director Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements and must include the names of three references.

Note: As only one file can be uploaded, please ensure your cover letter, resume and any other related documents are submitted in one file. Please ensure that this document is saved using the naming convention of your last then first name (Smith,Joe_Resume). Applicants who apply online will be able to track the status of this competition.

For more information, please contact Carrie Weinrich, Alberta Culture and Tourism, 7th floor Standard Life Centre 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4R7. Email carrie.weinrich@gov.ab.ca; Telephone: (780) 644-8736; Fax: (780) 422-3142.

Closing Statement: We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates’ qualifications most closely match the agency’s requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. All potential board directors will be screened for potential conflicts of interest.