Join the ACC

Board Membership

Photo by Laura Kozlowski. A woman stands speaking to a room of people seated at tables.

What does it mean to be a board member?

ACC Board members are appointed for voluntary 3-year terms.

  • ACC board members should have an interest in the arts, humanities, or sciences.

  • Meetings are held once per month (typically on the 1st Tuesday at 6:30pm) to discuss ongoing projects, new initiatives, and other council business.

  • Board members are asked to attend at least 50% of annual meetings to maintain active membership status.

  • Between meetings, board members may be asked to perform 2–5 additional hours a month of volunteer work, depending on the season and current initiatives.

  • Board members contribute depending on their skills and areas of interest.

  • All board members are required to participate in the annual grant process.

  • All board members are asked to participate in executing the annual Open Studios event.

  • Officer positions are available, involving slightly more time commitment (Co-chairs, Treasurer, Secretary).

  • Per Massachusetts Cultural Council requirements, the ACC may have no fewer than 5 members and no more than 22.

  • Per Massachusetts Cultural Council requirements, no member can serve for more than 6 years consecutively.

Not ready to become a board member? Submit a volunteer inquiry:

Current ACC Members

  • Co-Chair: Ann Johnson

    Co-Chair: Sally Nutt

    Secretary: Laura Kozlowski

    Treasurer: Amy Vander Els

  • Madison Barnes

    Margaret Leahy

    Ellie O’Leary

    Bryan Riley

    Rachel Wallace

  • Aimie Westphal | Library Director

    Meghan Fahey | Head of Archives

Helpful Member Skills

We welcome anyone passionate about supporting the arts in Amesbury! The following skill sets are very helpful to have on the Council:

Project Management • Marketing & Communications • Social Media • Volunteer Coordination • Organizational Skills • Public Speaking • Writing & Editing • Graphic Design • Accounting • Note Taking • Networking • Photography • Fundraising • Community Outreach • Computer Skills

How do I become a member?

  1. We encourage all prospective members to attend 2 to 3 consecutive ACC meetings. This is the best way to understand what we do before making a longer-term commitment to the Council.

  2. Fill out an application (online or PDF) and submit it to the Mayor's office. You will be contacted by City Hall staff to schedule an interview.

  3. You will meet with the ACC Co-chairs, the ACC City Hall Liaison, the City Hall Chief of Staff, and potentially the Mayor to discuss your interest in the Council and review your qualifications and commitment.

  4. If your appointment is approved, you will attend the next scheduled City Council meeting to be sworn in and complete the process.

  5. You will be asked by City Hall to complete several online trainings (Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest).

  6. Once you are officially a board member, you have full voting right and are expected to attend monthly meetings. Please note that full board membership typically activates 21 days following the swearing-in ceremony.

  7. You will also be added to the Massachusetts Cultural Council database and will be required to do several quick training modules online. These sessions are very helpful in learning about the granting process.

    This process can take anywhere from a couple weeks to several months. However, you may begin attending ACC meetings as a non-voting member of the public as soon as you would like.

Ready to Join?

Fill out an application (online or PDF) and submit it to the Mayor's office.

Reach out to amesburycc@gmail.com with any questions.

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