67 Dane St., Somerville, MA 02143

ANIKAYA Board of Directors

Position Description | 2026 Board Expansion

Expression of Interest deadline: November 30, 2026

www.anikaya.org

The Opportunity

ANIKAYA is expanding its Board of Directors as the organization enters an important period of artistic and organizational development and expansion. We are interested in meeting people who are excited by ANIKAYA’s mission and who can bring professional knowledge, relationships, perspectives, and experiences that expand the collective capacity of the Board.

We are intentionally looking both within and beyond the dance and arts communities. A prospective Director does not need to be a dancer or arts professional. We are particularly interested in individuals whose principal professional experience comes from other sectors and who are excited by the opportunity to bring that experience into relationship with an international arts and cultural organization.

Please note that all ANIKAYA meetings and events are Deaf accessible and language is not a barrier.

Priority Areas of Experience

These areas should not be understood as separate boxes requiring one person for each category. One prospective Director may bring experience across several areas. Another may bring an important perspective or capacity that we have not anticipated.

We welcome unexpected combinations of experience and individuals ANIKAYA might not ordinarily encounter through traditional arts networks.

International Collaboration & Exchange

ANIKAYA’s work happens with partners around the world. We have created and toured work across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Americas. We also bring artists from around the world to the US and take US-based artists to communities abroad. Our international residency gatherings, including the Conference of the Birds Intensives, bring together artists from many countries to make work together.

We welcome individuals with experience in cultural or public diplomacy, international exchange, international education and study abroad, international development, global philanthropy, or cross-border partnerships. Practical knowledge of the conditions that shape international collaboration would be especially valuable. That includes visa and mobility barriers for artists, international travel and logistics, and relationships with foundations and institutions abroad. We are interested in people who can help ANIKAYA continue to build durable partnerships and widen access for artists whose movement across borders is restricted.

Cultural Expertise & Curiosity

ANIKAYA’s mission is to break down perceived boundaries between people, cultures, and art forms. Our practice brings people together across difference to form new communities, with movement as a shared language. Many of our collaborators live between cultures, languages, and identities.

We welcome individuals with deep knowledge of particular cultures, regions, languages, faith traditions, or diaspora communities. Equally, we value people who bring genuine curiosity about cultures other than their own, comfort with ambiguity, and a willingness to learn alongside artists and communities. 

Legal, Nonprofit & Governance

ANIKAYA is particularly interested in individuals with experience in law, nonprofit governance, regulatory matters, compliance, risk, and fiduciary responsibility. We want to strengthen the Board’s capacity to recognize important governance and legal considerations, ask informed questions, and identify when specialized professional advice is appropriate.

Finance & Banking

We welcome individuals with experience in banking, finance, accounting, investment, financial management, institutional finance, philanthropy, or related disciplines. ANIKAYA is particularly interested in people who can contribute to the Board’s understanding of financial stewardship, sustainability, financial oversight, risk, resource development, and longer-range organizational planning.

AI Governance & Emerging Technology

ANIKAYA would like to meet individuals with meaningful experience in AI governance, responsible artificial intelligence, emerging technology, technology policy, data governance, digital ethics, intellectual property, privacy, or related fields.

As artificial intelligence increasingly intersects with creative practice, intellectual property, communications, cultural representation, and organizational operations, ANIKAYA believes cultural organizations should participate thoughtfully in these conversations. 

Entrepreneurship, Enterprise & International Expansion

Experience with international expansion, cross-border partnerships, global markets, organizational growth, sponsorship, business development, social enterprise, or strategic networks would be especially valuable as ANIKAYA continues developing its international presence.

Expectations of Board Service

ANIKAYA is seeking active and engaged Directors who are prepared to contribute their expertise, relationships, time, and resources to the organization.

• Participation in quarterly Board meetings and meaningful engagement between meetings according to each Director’s expertise, interests, relationships, and availability.
• An annual $3,000 give-or-get commitment, fulfilled through personal giving and/or personally secured donations, sponsorships, or other contributed financial support.
• Active participation in strengthening ANIKAYA’s relationships and resources through donor cultivation, introductions, sponsorship development, strategic partnerships, professional expertise, institutional relationships, or opening new networks and opportunities.
• Participation, as relevant, in virtual Board integration, working groups, strategic engagement, and periodic in-person Board retreats.

Expression of Interest

Deadline: November 30, 2026

Individuals interested in exploring Board service, and individuals wishing to nominate someone else, are invited to complete a brief online Expression of Interest. The submission is not a commitment by either ANIKAYA or the prospective Director.

Selected individuals may subsequently be invited to conversations with ANIKAYA leadership and members of the Board to explore mission alignment, expectations, experience, interests, and potential contribution before any formal nomination or appointment.