Join our Board of Directors

Position

Director on the Music Gallery Board of Directors (Volunteer Position)

Who We Are

The Music Gallery has been Toronto’s Centre for Creative Music since 1976. We present an annual season of genre-defying concert music and events. We champion a wide range of musicians who push boundaries, break down barriers, take risks and experiment by offering safe space and essential resources so that they can act fearlessly in their pursuit of the new. We build networks that celebrate artists’ achievements and build resilience. We are dedicated to uplifting, amplifying, and celebrating the stories and sounds of our city and beyond.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sanjeet Takhar, we push forward our traditions of improvisation, experimental electronics, imaginative composition, and intercultural initiatives to remain a hub for collaboration, discussion, and multi-media performance. Our organization is nearly fifty years old and continues to attract younger communities while respecting its historical artists and audience. 

The Opportunity

The Music Gallery is governed by an eleven-person Board of Directors.  It is a governance and policy focused board: directors contribute their knowledge, insights, and networks to help the Music Gallery navigate strategic and operational issues. The board is responsible for the oversight of key Music Gallery policies and procedures, and the development and implementation of the Music Gallery’s strategic plan; new Directors can expect the opportunity to participate in a strategic planning process in 2023. Directors are also generally expected to sit on at least one working committee, some of which have occasional operational responsibilities that go beyond making and overseeing policy.

In addition to these responsibilities, Directors often play a role in fundraising and development.  They are strongly encouraged to attend at least some Music Gallery events, and promote awareness of the organization and its programs within their networks and amongst the general public.  We recognize the spectrum of ways in which Directors contribute to the Music Gallery, whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing diverse perspectives and lived experience.

We are committed to maintaining a Board that reflects Toronto’s diversity. We especially encourage applications from BIPOC people, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.  

Additionally, we place a high premium on skills diversity – while we value directors with previous Board experience and professional expertise (accounting, finance, law, HR, etc.), we also value directors who are practicing artists, community organizers, or active participants in our musical ecosystem, and we value the insights of those without formal board experience.

We are committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism in all respects, and we provide training in this regard to new Directors as part of the onboarding process. 

What We’re Looking For

• Interest in the arts, particularly creative music, with an emphasis on the development of the local music community
• Ability to commit 5-10 hours per month (including preparation for and attendance at meetings)
• Attendance at Music Gallery events of interest where possible
• Due to anticipated vacancies and upcoming needs, the following skill sets would be particular assets (although anyone interested should apply regardless of background):
  • Finance (to fill an anticipated Treasurer vacancy in future)
  • Law (although the assistance of external counsel is available to the organization, ideally we seek a lawyer with an understanding of the grassroots arts context, and at least some exposure to commercial/real estate and employment matters)
  • Business strategy (ideally in the not-for-profit context)
  • Board Secretarial or similar business skills
  • Desire to potentially grow into a board executive committee role

Although not required, previous board experience and exposure to non-profit arts organizations is an asset. 

While candidates from outside Toronto will be considered, local candidates are preferred.

Board Meetings

Meetings are currently held by Zoom; this is anticipated to be the case for the near future. If the Board returns to holding in-person meetings, these will likely be at the Music Gallery’s current offices (918 Bathurst, Toronto).

To Apply

Please send a short statement of interest (max. one page) and your resume to Dave Darby (President, Board of Directors: president@musicgallery.org) and David Dacks (Executive Director: david@musicgallery.org). Please also contact Dave or David if you have any questions.

Posting Deadline

November 30, 2022