Join our Board of Directors

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: BEING Studio Board of Directors

BEING Studio is looking for new members to join our volunteer Board of Directors for the coming year. If you're rooted in the arts, we especially want to hear from you. Whatever your field, if you're drawn to building inclusion and equity, we'd love your application. You don't need formal training or prior board experience. If you're interested in the Treasurer or Corporate Secretary roles specifically, please see those postings.

BEING is a charitable Disability Arts organization supporting the participation and professional practice of artists with developmental disabilities. From our accessible studio in Ottawa's Bronson Centre, we serve a diverse community of more than 50 artist members and work to create an inclusive, empowering and affirming space for our artists, staff, volunteers and collaborators. Artists with development disabilities are an integral part of all activities at BEING, including artistic direction and the governance of the organization.

In 2027, BEING celebrates 25 years as a leading voice in Disability Arts in Canada. Our artists and community are at the heart of this milestone, from shaping the anniversary celebrations to guiding the studio's future. As the Board prepares to recruit a new Executive Director, we are focused on bringing our artists' work to wider audiences, building partnerships across the arts sector, and strengthening the studio's place in Ottawa's cultural community.

The Board governs BEING through sound, ethical and legal decisions and policies, ensuring the organization moves in the right direction and has the resources to advance its mission. If you're inspired by our work, believe in an accessible art world, and bring a justice-minded, collaborative approach to everything you do, we want you to help shape what comes next. Above all, we're looking for directors who will learn from and share leadership with our artists at every level of the organization, from the studio to the boardroom.

Candidates should live in or have strong ties to the Ottawa/Gatineau region.

We are especially interested in candidates with experience in one or more of these areas:

• Artistic practice, curation or arts administration
• Disability Arts and culture
• Accounting and financial management (a CPA designation is an asset)
• Human resources
• Nonprofit management and fundraising
• Nonprofit governance and committee work
• Social enterprise, particularly in the arts
• Social justice and equity advocacy at the local, provincial or federal level
• Marketing, communications, branding or media relations

Remote work requirements

The Board meets on Zoom. BEING provides each director with an email account and Office 365, including file storage. You'll need:

• a private space to join meetings
• a reliable internet connection
• comfort with video calls, email and shared documents

Time Commitment

Directors serve two-year terms and can be re-elected twice, for up to six years in total. The Board holds ten one-hour meetings a year, plus the Annual General Meeting. Each director also serves on at least one committee, which typically meets before each Board meeting or as needed.

What the Board does

The Board oversees BEING's strategic plan, budget, financial results and risks. It also supports and holds accountable the Executive Director. This year, that includes leading the search for a new one.

What we ask of directors

• Act with integrity and in BEING's best interest, in line with the law and our bylaws
• Understand BEING's financial statements and how decisions affect them (we'll provide orientation)
• Ask good questions, see the big picture, and know the difference between governance and day-to-day management
• Bring openness to diverse perspectives

Equity and inclusion

BEING is committed to racial equity and to a Board that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Black people, people of colour, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Applicants who are part of, or have close ties to, the Disability community will be prioritized for interviews.

To apply

Email your application to Christy Smith-Worthylake, Board Vice-Chair, with the subject line "BEING Board of Directors." Please include:

• a short biography (up to 250 words)
• a brief note on why you're interested (up to 500 words)

If writing isn't the best way for you to share your ideas, you're welcome to apply by video or audio recording instead. If you'd like support with your application, contact Christy.

The deadline is Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. New directors will be elected at our Annual General Meeting in November 2026.

Thank you for your interest in BEING. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.