Apply to join our board

History and mission

S.O.U.R.C.E. Studio (Sustained Operations Utilizing Resources for Culture, Communities and the Environment) is an organization that works with artists to contribute to dialogues, actions and poetics of our times. Building on a long history of strategies and collaborations from Mel Chin Studio, the name S.O.U.R.C.E. stems from the long history of secrecy and acronyms assigned to military operations. Instead of using this code of secrecy to destroy things, we’re infiltrating and creating new systems to propel empathy and justice in the world.

S.O.U.R.C.E. investigates, creates, and supports artistic project production and activities while offering space for action-based learning and shared critical reflection. We are committed to supporting artists and producing projects and practices rooted in community, collaboration, experimentation, creative methodologies and social justice. The people at S.O.U.R.C.E. believe creative practices can propel empathy and justice in the world. 

Our Core Values

• ARTISTIC DISPOSITION | artists vision us forward
• TRUSTING COLLABORATION | create more possibility through the collective
• ARTISTIC METHODOLOGIES (PRAXIS) | practice generous spaces of creativity
• TAKING CARE | take care, act in healing
• CENTER JUSTICE | engage toward justice

Our Programs

The Corrina Mehiel Fellowship honors our late colleague Corrina Mehiel’s spirit, artistry and commitment to social practice. This bi-annual fellowship awards two artists an unrestricted $10,000 award, publication support, and participation in a summer gathering/retreat in affiliation with Mel Chin Studio to share methodologies, explore place, and offer time for reflection. Former fellows include jackie sumell, brontë velez, Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, and Muse Dodd

The S.O.U.R.C.E. Project Fellowship is a developing program to support deeper collaboration with artists and to engage communities in artist-guided creative inquiry and practice. The Fellowship is modeled after S.O.U.R.C.E’s long history of collaboration with artist Mel Chin, helping develop and produce large-scale collaborative and socially engaged projects like the Fundred Project and Memory Builds the Monument.

Artist-guided gatherings: Recognizing that the connection and camaraderie between our artist Fellows, founding artist Mel Chin, and artist network is valuable, beloved (by past fellows and collaborators!) and a critical part of our commitment to intergenerational connections and creating sites of exchange and shared methodologies, we are continuing to explore what the summer gathering/retreats will look like, this year, and in the future at Mel’s studio in Western North Carolina.

The S.O.U.R.C.E. Board

S.O.U.R.C.E. Studio has a generative governing board. Members commit to:

• Participating for a two-year term, renewable for up to three terms;
• Attending bi-monthly virtual board meetings;
• Serving on one or more committees that engage in work outside of the bi-monthly meetings; committee work includes strategic planning, fundraising and board development;
• Offering 1:1 thought partnership with the executive director;
• Attending an annual summer board retreat in North Carolina.

As a small organization with only one full-time member on staff, S.O.U.R.C.E. depends on its board to be actively involved in supporting its operational and strategic needs. We are actively seeking individuals to serve in three critical roles: Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. In addition to the commitments outlined above, board members are expected to bring their personal qualifications or expertise to support S.O.U.R.C.E.’s work. Current needs include: 

• Operational leadership: A member with these skills will play a crucial role in guiding S.O.U.R.C.E.’s growth and ensuring the successful implementation of our strategic vision. Key responsibilities include working closely with the Executive Director to translate vision into actionable strategies, set and achieve operational goals, and contribute to the overall governance and decision-making processes of the board.
• Financial expertise: A member with these skills will work to ensure the financial health and stability of our organization. Working with the Executive Director and board, this member will support with budgeting, forecasting and financial management, as well as bring an understanding of nonprofit financial policies and procedures. They will collaborate to develop and manage the annual budget, present financial updates to the board, oversee financial reports (including tax filings) and monitor S.O.U.R.C.E.’s overall financial performance. 
• Communications Strategy: A member with professional experience in communications, communications strategy and planning will help S.O.U.R.C.E. think broadly about communications goals and strategic planning. They will offer guidance to increase awareness, engagement, impact and support. 
  
• Legal advising: A member with legal expertise will offer guidance and oversight related to employment law and compliance related to human resources. 
• Institutional advancement: A member with these skills would advise the Executive Director on fundraising strategy, grant management and compliance, cultivating relationships with donors, foundations and other partnerships. This board member brings a history of working in collaboration with communities, understands strategic engagement and outreach, and ensures our programs are having impact in alignment with our values. 
• Community builder: A member with these skills would support S.O.U.R.C.E. in tending to and cultivating our relationships with the artists, cultural producers, collaborators and alumni in our ecosystem.
  
• Ecosystem Connector: An external culture keeper, relationship builder who enjoys people mapping, is relational, and understands how networking can support fundraising efforts.  This board member ensures we enter external relationships with individuals and organizations upholding our values. 

There is no explicit financial requirement. The board holds collective responsibility for the financial wellbeing of the organization, and commits to every member making an annual gift at a personally meaningful level. Board members do not receive compensation for their role.

Please fill out the application, here, by July 12th. 

Reach out to info@sourcestudio.org with any questions.