Serve on the Cultural Space Agency’s Governing Council
What is the role of the Governing Council?
The Governing Council leads the Cultural Space Agency. It is responsible for ensuring that the Agency is meeting its mission with impact and integrity. While the Council is not involved with the day-to-day management of the Agency, it is ultimately responsible for the Agency’s finances, property investments, compliance, and executive staffing.
If you’re familiar with a nonprofit organization’s Board of Directors, the Governing Council of a public development authority is basically the same thing. The Council is responsible for guiding policy, setting priorities, and ensuring the organization remains connected to the communities it is designed to serve.
What are the commitments?
Serve a 3-year term (members can serve up to two consecutive terms)
Attend monthly Council meetings, and Council Committee meetings (this means that in total you’re likely attending at least two meetings per month)
Follow all laws and regulations related to this work, including disclosing any potential conflicts of interest as they arise (conflicts of interest do not mean you can’t serve, please just disclose them)
There is not a personal Councilmember monetary commitment – Councilmembers should contribute as they are able, but there is no minimum annual donation required
Reasonable costs connected to your service will be paid for. This includes things like parking, childcare, and other necessary expenses.
How are Governing Councilmembers selected?
The Constituency of the Cultural Space Agency is a 60-person leadership group that has been stewarding the launch of the Agency for several years. They will accept applications for membership in the Governing Council and will evaluate those applications. The Constituency’s recommendations become the official slate of nominees for the Council.
These nominations for the Governing Council are then transmitted to the Mayor, who in turn transmits them to the City Council for approval. If you’ve ever served on a City commission or board (such as the Seattle Arts Commission), this is a very similar process.
How can I learn more?
Please contact Ebony Arunga at ebony@culturalspace.agency with any questions you have.
How can I apply?
There is an online application portal. Click here to apply.
You can either type your answers to several questions into the web portal, or you can upload a short video of yourself answering those questions.
The Preferred Deadline for applications is August 15th 2023. “Preferred Deadline” means that The Constituency hopes to nominate a full slate of candidates from the applications received by August 15th. Please think of August 15th as your deadline.
If, however, you’re only hearing about this opportunity after August 15th, please email ebony@culturalspace.agency and we’ll see if there is still an opportunity to apply after that date.