Join the Compass Arts Creativity Project Board

We’re looking for people who want to help build a different kind of organization.

Compass Arts Creativity Project (CACP) is looking for Board members who are genuinely excited about our work and interested in helping us build an organization rooted in healthy, just, equitable, and resilient communities through the arts.

We are intentionally building a Board that does not operate according to the traditional nonprofit model. At Compass Arts, staff are closest to the day-to-day work and are deeply involved in organizational decision-making. We see the Board and staff as partners working alongside one another in service of our community—not as separate levels of a hierarchy.

What is the Board’s role?

• Participate in Board meetings, governance, and organizational stewardship.
• Support staff well-being and organizational sustainability, while helping build a healthy organizational culture.
• Build authentic relationships with staff, Board members, and community, and help expand awareness of CACP by connecting us with people, organizations, opportunities, and resources.
• Support fundraising and/or contribute financial resources, connections, skills, or other forms of support, and participate in CACP programs, performances, and events.
• Ask thoughtful questions, offer perspective, and help identify opportunities and risks.

Your time is your primary contribution. Board service is a 3 year term, and board members volunteer around 2-4 hours per month, including Board meetings (5 per year – Jan., Mar., May, Sept., Nov.), preparation, relationship-building, and participation in CACP programs and events. We value your time and recognize that Board service should be meaningful, sustainable, and reciprocal—an opportunity to contribute to CACP while also learning, building relationships, and growing together.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people who are excited about Compass Arts and willing to bring both their perspective and their curiosity to the work. No prior Board experience or particular professional background is required.

• People who engage honestly with power, privilege, and assumptions; are willing to ask difficult questions; and approach disagreement as an opportunity for learning.

• People who value a liberation mindset, authentic connections, deep listening, and ongoing reflection—and who are willing to keep learning and changing.
• People who understand the importance of healthy boundaries between governance, organizational leadership, and day-to-day operations, while still building genuine relationships with staff.
• People who believe people’s well-being matters alongside organizational goals and are willing to participate in building a culture that prioritizes sustainability and care.
• People who bring lived experience, knowledge, relationships, skills, or perspectives that can strengthen the collective—and who are excited to be active ambassadors for Compass Arts.

Different perspectives make a stronger collective.

Compass Arts serves people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, identities, economic circumstances, and ways of understanding the world. We want a Board that reflects some of that breadth, and we are particularly interested in strengthening representation from Black, Brown, queer, neurodivergent, and other historically underrepresented communities.

This is not about asking someone to represent an entire community or speak for an identity. It is about having more perspectives in the room so that we can notice our blind spots, challenge our assumptions, and make better decisions.

We want people who will help us see what we might otherwise miss.

Commitment & mutual discernment

Board service is a three-year commitment. Prospective members will have an opportunity to learn more about Compass Arts, meet staff and current Board members, experience our culture and work, and decide whether this is a community they want to be part of. We will be getting to know you, too.

We are not simply looking to fill seats. We are looking for people who want to build something with us.

Curious to learn more?

Click here to learn more or reach out to us now.