Join Our Board
About Clay Art Center
Clay Art Center located in Port Chester, NY has, for over 65 years, been dedicated to the belief that Clay provides everyone with an opportunity for a transformative arts experience. For youth, creativity supports learning and development; for adults, an opportunity to try something new or build a skill. We are a home for the local community as well a destination for those who seek connection, education, creative learning and inspiration. Our board includes practicing artists and also admirers of the arts with no artmaking experience but a desire to support learning and engagement. We welcome new members who share the belief that the arts drive creativity, support learning and build community.
Clay Art Center (CAC) opened in 1957 led by two potters Katherine Choy and Henry Okamoto. Their goal was to create a community of ceramic artists sharing ideas and resources. CAC became a nonprofit in 2007 to have a greater impact in the ceramic arts. More than 65 years after our founding, Clay Art Center continues to provide access to the arts through 4 core program areas: Education, Artists, Community Arts, & Gallery.
The Education Program provides arts instruction in wheel throwing, handbuilding, and other ceramics skills for adults and youth at all levels. Community Arts awards scholarships & free ceramic classes to underserved youth & adults, and actively engages school & community groups in collaborative public art mosaic projects. Our programs, both onsite & throughout Westchester, are funded via partnerships, grants, donors, & fundraising events. Our Artist Program offers studio space for working artists, paid residencies for emerging ceramic artists, & juried or invitational exhibition opportunities. Our Gallery Program presents free exhibitions, a shop, artist lectures, and demos, both in person & online, showcasing contemporary ceramics from artists at all career stages.
About Board Service
Clay Art Center’s Board of Directors and Advisory Committees bring professional experience, expertise and dedication to serving the Center’s mission, and is drawn from a diverse community. We are looking for candidates to lead Clay Art Center on the next stage of growth.
The board consists of 6 committees: Executive, Audit/Finance, Governance, Development, Human Resources, and Facilities.
We are looking for Board members with varied skills and experience. In particular we are looking for board members with experience in:
Finance/Banking/Accounting
Construction/Architecture
Marketing/Communications
Fundraising
Information Technology
Human Resources
Project Management
You do not need to have experience with ceramics — only an appreciation of the arts and a desire to be part of the Clay Art Center community.
What if I haven’t served or worked on a nonprofit board before?
We are committed to having a diverse community of voices supporting our organization. Even if you do not have prior nonprofit experience, our board engages in ongoing group learning at our board meetings. We also have lots of other opportunities to get involved as a volunteer if board service isn’t quite the right fit right now!
Board members commit to:
Serve a three-year term.
Participate fully in 5 board meetings each year (virtual/hybrid).
Attend an annual fundraising event and other functions as requested.
Participate in a committee
Be a compelling year-round ambassador for Clay Art Center.
Make a personally meaningful annual financial gift and support fundraising efforts.
Keep up to date on organizational programs, news, financials, and events essential to being an effective member.
Application Process:
We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. Qualified candidates will be invited to meet with our Executive Director and members of the Board to discuss how you might support the needs of Clay Art Center.
All potential board candidates join a committee of the board before being considered for board service. This allows both us and you to see if this opportunity is the right fit.