Arts Management

Download registration form here.

In the quest for board diversity, most arts organizations will recruit board members with a wide variety of backgrounds—some with business acumen, some with passion for the organization and its mission. This diversity is essential to ensure that the organization’s constituency is represented appropriately. However, the flipside to board diversity is often the time it takes to train board members so that everyone is on the same page. Even board members with prior oversight experience may have trouble transitioning to an arts organization’s unique challenges. It can be difficult for arts organizations to come up with the budget and the time to prepare each board member for the tasks that lie ahead.

The Arts Management Program at George Mason University can help with that process through our Board Member Institute. We are pleased to announce that we have two different informational offerings: our semiannual New Board Member Orientation—a half-day training session designed for new board members in arts organizations (offered once in the Fall and again in the Spring. We also have a Financial Responsibilities session offered in the Spring.

The institute can help by providing a broad overview of the way boards work and by helping new board members gain the confidence to effectively govern their organizations. New board members can then apply these concepts to their organization’s individual needs. With the institute’s help, boards can minimize the time needed to train new members and get back to doing the things they do best.

Toward an even deeper understanding, this year we are introducing intermediate training. This level of instruction will primarily focus on the legal and fiscal responsibilities of boards and an understanding of financial statements and the new Form 990 requirements.

We are also pleased to announce that the New Board Member Orientation is being cosponsored by the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

Who Can Attend?

Board members of an arts organization located anywhere, with less than six months of experience, are eligible for the Board Member Institute’s Orientation session. Any member of an arts board may attend the “Financial Responsibilities” session. Organizations are welcome to send a maximum of two board members to each institute session. The spring session is limited to 15 attendees, so sign up soon!

Spring 2012

• Board Orientation
  Saturday, March 24
  Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  Location: Arlington Campus, Founders Hall room 318

• Financial Responsibilities—Boards
  Saturday, April 21
  Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  Location: The Mason Enterprise Center, Fairfax

Where Is the Event Held?

The Saturday, March 24, session is held at

• Arlington Campus, Founders Hall, room 318
  3351 Fairfax Dr.
  Arlington, VA 22201

Please click here for detailed directions from both the Capital Beltway, I-66 East, both directions on Route 50, and from I-95.

For parking options and map/directions to the Mason Arlington campus, please click here.

The Saturday, April 21, session is held at

• The Mason Enterprise Center
  Conference Room
  4031 University Drive
  Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Please click here for detailed directions from both the Capital Beltway, I-66 East, both directions on Route 50, and from I-95.

For map/directions to the Mason Enterprise Center, please click here.

How Can Our Board Members Attend?

Registration is $75 per attendee, a portion of which is a tax-deductible donation to the George Mason University Foundation.

Discount

If you are a member for the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the Arts Council of Montgomery County, or the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, you receive a discount!

Only $25 per person for the Arts Council of Fairfax County

Only $50 per person for the Arlington Arts Commission designees

Only $50 per person for the Arts Council of Montgomery County

Only $50 per person for the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington

To register, please send credit card information or check (made out to GMU Foundation), along with your registration form, to

• Nicole Springer
  College of Visual and Performing Arts
  George Mason University
  3330 N. Washington Blvd, MS 1C8
  Arlington, VA 22201
  Phone: 703-993-9910
• Fax: 703-993-9829
  nspringe@gmu.edu

Download registration form here.