ARAC Board

Principle Responsibilities
The ARAC Board is responsible for setting and overseeing policy and setting strategic direction for the organization. The staff is responsible for taking policy and board strategic direction and putting it into action.

The Board does not get involved in program planning or management of the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Board Matrix
Board members are elected for a three-year term and may be elected to a second term for a total of 6 years of service. We seek a balance of representation on the board based on geographic location, one from each of the four Tribal Nations, artistic discipline, constituent/non-constituent, age, racial/cultural background, gender, and organizational experience. Each board member adds value to the organization by bringing their experiences as a resident of the region, a member of their community, an artist in their discipline, and many other circumstances that influence their whole being. The role of the board member is to bring those experiences to inform decisions made about the entire Arrowhead Region.

ARAC members are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and involvement in the arts. More information on how you can become a member of the ARAC Board is listed below.

Board Meeting Dates Open to the Public

August 21, 2025

November 20, 2025

February 19, 2026

May 21, 2026

Business meetings and orientation are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All business meetings take place over Zoom and are conducted in the spirit of the Open Meeting Law. Prior to each board meeting, board members receive important materials related to decisions and discussions for the meeting which can include financials, staff reports, panel funding recommendations, and any other items that require Board action.

All board meeting dates are open to the public unless otherwise stated. Meetings are held electronically.
To receive login information please email info@aracouncil.org

Current ARAC Board

  • A man wearing a beaded necklace and a decorated vest standing in front of colorful paintings of animals and nature.

    Sam Zimmerman

    Chair
    Grand Portage Representative

  • Smiling woman with long gray hair, glasses, and layered necklaces, wearing a purple patterned top with pink sleeves, standing in front of a colorful yellow and orange abstract background.

    Liz Engelman

    Vice Chair
    Lake County Representative

  • A woman smiling, wearing a white shirt, blue denim jacket, and colorful beaded jewelry, standing in front of a yellow artistic background.

    Veronica Veaux

    Secretary
    Leech Lake Representative

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a black T-shirt and a colorful beaded necklace, standing in front of a yellow and orange abstract painted background.

    Janie Heitz

    Treasurer
    Itasca County Representative

  • A smiling woman with short gray hair standing against a colorful abstract background, wearing a blue top and a light beige jacket.

    Peggy Kelly

    Koochiching County Representative

  • A woman with long dark hair, glasses, and red lipstick, wearing a black shirt with white skull patterns, stands in front of a yellow and orange textured background.

    Khayman Goodsky

    Bois Forte Representative

  • Portrait of a woman with long red curly hair and a black top, smiling, standing in front of an abstract yellow and orange background.

    Nik Allen

    Rural St. Louis County Representative

  • Portrait of a woman with long wavy light brown hair, wearing a black blazer, a pearl necklace, smiling against a plain white background.

    Kelly Schamberger

    Duluth Representative

  • A smiling man with short brown hair and facial hair, wearing a teal shirt and a black and gray patterned jacket, standing in front of colorful landscape paintings.

    Adam Swanson

    Carlton County Representative

  • A woman wearing a large straw hat with a colorful scarf, smiling, at an outdoor event with tents and a sign in the background.

    Jayne Richards

    Cook County Representative

  • Placeholder silhouette of a person on a green background.

    Jennifer Martineau

    Carlton County At-Large

  • A woman with long brown hair wearing a red patterned dress and holding a red paintbrush stands outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Rita Fortunato

    Aitkin County Representative

  • A woman dressed in traditional Indigenous clothing standing outside in a grassy area with trees in the background.

    Mataya Larson

    Student Liaison - University of Minnesota Duluth

Become a Board Member

Board Member – open until filled
ARAC is currently seeking individuals who are interested in serving on its board.

  • Fond du Lac nation representative

Reach out to us if you’re interested in becoming a Board Member!
Email info@aracouncil.org to inquire

Board Member Requirements:

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is looking for individuals with knowledge of the arts, artists, artists from communities of color, arts supporters/collectors, or individuals working in and with knowledge of the regional arts community. The Council acts as the Board of Directors for the Arts Council, sets policy, and helps review our grants. 

Council members must reside in one of the seven counties or four Ojibwe nations in the  Arrowhead Region: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties as well as the Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Leech Lake nations. Board terms are three years in duration (one year for the student liaison position) and expire at the end of June. Board members may choose to serve more than one term.

Board members serve as volunteers but are paid a $250 stipend for each meeting they attend. The ARAC board will meet a total of 6 times a year (to keep within the bylaw mandates) and meetings will start at 5:30 p.m. This will include:

  • Orientation and small business meeting in July (in person)

  • 4 quarterly business meetings

  • Board Retreat – September (in person)

Serving on the board gives an individual the opportunity to learn about arts activities in the region; increase their knowledge of grant writing and the review process, and to network with other artists and arts professionals.

ARAC board members are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and involvement in the arts. ARAC abides by all applicable laws relating to nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The Council does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, age, status as a legal alien, or any other legally protected status.

For more information, feel free to contact the office at (218)722-0952, (800)569-8134, or by email.