Antenna is a 501(c)(3) non-profit multidisciplinary cultural institution presenting exhibitions, public programs, publishing, and regranting serving New Orleans and the Gulf South. 

Antenna provides financial, curatorial, professional, residential support for BIPOC, LGBTQ-GNC+, women, immigrant, and other-abled cultural contributors and cultural bearers who produce visual and performance art; digitally printed book arts; participatory and socially engaged projects in public space at the intersection of Gender and Identity, the Environment, Equity, Renewable Resources, Abolition, Restorative Justice, and the histories of the Gulf South.

Antenna strives to implement non-hierarchical organizational structures internally between the board, collective and staff, so that we can move with intention and agility to respond to the needs of our community. Antenna is funded through private foundations, government entities, individual donors, and earned income.  

Antenna is seeking one national community member for a three year term. We are looking for people whose values align with that of the Antenna's and who have an interested in supporting the creative community of the city of New Orleans, to serve the community interest by participating in Antenna board's efforts to effectively pursue its mission; to develop policies and procedures to govern the organization, Supervise  the Executive Director position, monitor and support the overall sustainability and programmatic impact, and provide support to the Executive Director and team as requested.  This is a rolling deadline.

Bylaws https://docs.google.com/document/d/18AtmOgcfdAuYlCkoXUXm7cAl3WlE9qS8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116243585194843603442&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Organizational Manual https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gNyE_M-j-qGorsyZ20g_EN7lp5PcRwrgaVC_-2j0DnA/edit?usp=sharing 

Group Agreements  https://www.antenna.works/how-we-operate/ 

Land and Labor Practice  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dmKOlXmp1D-pMJNV5E7TQwan7YA3L-LYF7qptuH9iWk/edit?usp=sharing 

Members of the  board have authority as a collective body, the following are the specific responsibilities of the Antenna’s Board as a whole:

Ensure good governance: Provide guidance and direction to Antenna so that it fulfills its vision and reflects its core values, while maintaining accountability and fulfilling its responsibilities to the community, its constituents and government with which it functions. Ensure that there are board practices and structures in place to adequately support the work of the board. Ensure every meeting achieves quorum so that board decisions are not delayed, and the work of the board is not impeded.

Ensure fiduciary responsibilities/legal obligations are met: Duties of care and loyalty: It is the board’s collective responsibility to ensure that individual members understand and adhere to the duties of care and loyalty:

Duty of Care: Actively participate in governance and compliance issues and make sound and informed judgments.

Duty of Loyalty: Ensure undivided commitment to Antenna when making decisions affecting the organization. When acting on behalf of Antenna, board members must put the interests of the nonprofit before any personal or professional concerns and avoid potential conflicts of interest. 

Ensure equity, diversity and inclusion: To ensure relevance, credibility and integrity, Antenna is committed to ensuring the board represents the community it serves by prioritizing diversity, and equity. It’s equally committed to ensuring that all voices are heard and there is meaningful engagement of all members. 

Ensure appropriate organizational management and leadership: Select, supervise, support, and evaluate the ED.  

Work together with the team to establish policies and organizational goals to implement and achieve.  A key responsibility of the board is supporting the ED as they  lead the organization, achieve its goals and fulfill its mission.  Expect feedback and regular communication from the ED on Organization’s performance, and then evaluate the ED’s work accordingly. Effective board and ED communication is vital to the organization’s success.

Engage in strategy development and planning. Acting as a team, board members adopt strategies that guide the future direction of the organization and monitor implementation of those plans.

Ensure that the organization has adequate financial resources and that funds are responsibly spent.  The board’s fiduciary responsibilities require regular review of financial assessments and ensuring that there are sufficient resources to implement the organizations’ goals and meet obligations.

Specific Board Member Expectations:

In addition to the collective responsibilities, Antenna expects each individual board member to meet the following expectations.  

Support the team with expertise and skills when invited.  Your personal skills, knowledge, and talents are valuable to the organization. Board members’ expertise and knowledge provides the organization with valuable in-kind “consulting” support as well as an extra set of hands when needed. All experiences, skill-sets, and talents are equally valued and can be utilized in the organization.

Be informed: Educate yourself about your fiduciary role and legal obligations (duties of care and loyalty). Educate yourself about the programs of Antenna.  

Meeting preparation and attendance: Attend quarterly scheduled board meetings and special meetings as called.  Attend committee meetings for which you serve (schedule will vary depending on the committee). Be well-informed and prepared for meetings

Support fundraising: Make a personal financial gift that is meaningful to you. Actively participate in fundraising activities.

Actively participate in retreats, planning sessions, and board development activities.

Actively engage in organizational events: provide support to the organization’s staff through engagement and attendance at exhibitions, book launches, artists meet and greets, and in person and virtual public programs.

Engage in respectful communications: Be open to diverse perspectives. Seek to understand other’s viewpoints. It’s okay to disagree, seek to communicate with care and respect. 

Represent Organization: To the public, funders, businesses and the community when requested.

Assist with board renewal: Assist in identifying and recruiting new board members.

Assume leadership roles in board activities, officer positions, and committee chair roles (as appropriate).

If you are willing to serve please fill out the board application form     This will be followed by three phone interviews by board members and the Executive Director.  Then the board will convene to vote on your application.