Join Our Board or Advisory Council

Are you looking to make a deeper, positive impact within your community? Join us! We are seeking candidates for our voluntary leadership bodies: the governing Board of Trustees and the Advisory Council.  

Ideal candidates will represent our diverse community, in socio-economic background, racial and cultural identity, gender identity, and more. We seek candidates who will bring a variety of perspectives and voices into our decision-making process as we continue to steward the school according to our mission: inspiring lifelong learning in craft and creativity for all.

We currently seek to fill three seats on our 15-member Board of Trustees, with a particular interest in those with experience in finance and/or fundraising.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for fiduciary oversight of the school. Trustees serve as strategic thought partners to the Executive Director, and trustees make a significant commitment of time and resources to the organization.

Particular interest will be shown to those with experience in fundraising/development, law, strategy, community engagement, arts education programming/curation/administration, nonprofit governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

You’d be working with a group of passionate, engaged Trustees with expertise in finance, business design and planning, real estate, education, the arts, and more. And, you’ll engage with senior staff members and partners to advance the organization. As a trustee, you’ll be able to further develop leadership skills, connect with a community of peers, and see the impact of your work. 

Each term is three years and dedicate anywhere from 6 to 20 hours per month to the school. Please find a full description of roles and responsibilities here.

We seek to add many new Advisory Council members; there is no limit to the number we can have. The council is currently 38 members strong, with experts in law, public health, education, and more, who provide us with expert advice. Advisory Council members may either be on-call or participate in councils and committees led by Trustees. 

Advisory Council

Advisory Council members serve in a variety of leadership capacities. Many Advisors serve on Board Committees; several lend expertise or resources on a particular aspect of the school’s mission. They help the Eliot School build important relationships in the community. 

Particular interest will be shown to those with expertise in law, fundraising/development, community engagement, real estate, communications, arts education, arts education programming/ curation/administration, cybersecurity,  and public health.

This is an excellent way for an emerging leader to get to know the Eliot School. Service on the Advisory Council may serve as an eventual ramp, through committee or council involvement, to the Board of Trustees. Advisory Council members engage with senior staff members and partners to advance the organization. As an Advisory Council member, you’ll be able to further develop leadership skills and network with our community. Some of our current members are affiliated with the MFA Boston, Eaton Vance Investment Council, Rhode Island School of Design, North Bennet Street School, Tufts University, and more.

Advisory Council members typically commit for a three-year term and dedicate anywhere from .5 to 4 hours per month to the school.

A list of current members of both bodies may be found here.

If you’d like to learn more, you can visit our About page, our Program pages, and throughout our site. 

We also invite you to reach out to Abigail Norman, Executive Director, for a 15-minute chat. 

If you’re ready to apply, please submit a resume and letter of interest to Fifile Nguyen, Governance Committee Chair, with subject line “Eliot School Candidacy.”