ARAC Board

Principle Responsibilities
The ARAC Board is responsible for setting and overseeing policy and setting strategic direction for the organization. The staff is responsible for taking policy and board strategic direction and putting it into action.

The Board does not get involved in program planning or management of the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Board Matrix
Board members are elected for a three-year term and may be elected to a second term for a total of 6 years of service. We seek a balance of representation on the board based on geographic location, one from each of the four Tribal Nations, artistic discipline, constituent/non-constituent, age, racial/cultural background, gender, and organizational experience. Each board member adds value to the organization by bringing their experiences as a resident of the region, a member of their community, an artist in their discipline, and many other circumstances that influence their whole being. The role of the board member is to bring those experiences to inform decisions made about the entire Arrowhead Region.

ARAC members are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and involvement in the arts. More information on how you can become a member of the ARAC Board is listed below.

Board Meeting Dates Open to the Public

April 18, 2024

June 20, 2024

The ARAC Board has 6 meetings per fiscal year which include 4 quarterly business meetings, an orientation in July, and a board/staff retreat in September. Business meetings and orientation are scheduled on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meeting months are July (orientation), September (retreat), December, March, and June. All business meetings take place over Zoom and are conducted in the spirit of the Open Meeting Law. Prior to each board meeting, board members receive important materials related to decisions and discussions for the meeting which can include financials, staff reports, panel funding recommendations, and any other items that require Board action.

All board meeting dates are open to the public unless otherwise stated. Meetings are held electronically.
To receive login information please email info@aracouncil.org

Current ARAC Board

  • Kathy Neff

    Chair
    Duluth Representative

  • Liz Engelman

    Secretary
    St. Louis County Representative

  • Emily Swanson

    Treasurer
    Carlton County Representative

  • Sam Zimmerman

    Vice Chair
    Grand Portage Representative

  • Veronica Veaux

    Leech Lake Representative

  • Peggy Kelly

    Koochiching County Representative

  • Janie Heitz

    Itasca County Representative

  • Khayman Goodsky

    Bois Forte Representative

  • Nik Allen

    Rural St. Louis County Representative

Become a Board Member

Board Member – open until filled
ARAC is currently seeking individuals who are interested in serving on its board.

  • Aitkin County representative

  • Lake County representative

  • Fond du Lac nation representative

  • Student Liaison

Board Member Requirements:

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is looking for individuals with knowledge of the arts, artists, artists from communities of color, arts supporters/collectors, or individuals working in and with knowledge of the regional arts community. The Council acts as the Board of Directors for the Arts Council, sets policy, and helps review our grants. 

Council members must reside in one of the seven counties or four Ojibwe nations in the  Arrowhead Region: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties as well as the Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Leech Lake nations. Board terms are three years in duration (one year for the student liaison position) and expire at the end of June. Board members may choose to serve more than one term.

Board members serve as volunteers but are paid a $250 stipend for each meeting they attend. The ARAC board will meet a total of 6 times a year (to keep within the bylaw mandates) and meetings will start at 5:30 p.m. This will include:

  • Orientation and small business meeting in July (in person)

  • 4 quarterly business meetings – October, January, April, & June (virtual)

  • Board Retreat – September (in person)

Serving on the board gives an individual the opportunity to learn about arts activities in the region; increase their knowledge of grant writing and the review process, and to network with other artists and arts professionals.

ARAC board members are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and involvement in the arts. ARAC abides by all applicable laws relating to nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The Council does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, age, status as a legal alien, or any other legally protected status.

For more information, feel free to contact the office at (218)722-0952, (800)569-8134, or by email.