Lucky Plush seeks board members

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INTRODUCTION

Chicago-based internationally touring dance-theater company Lucky Plush Productions is embarking on a comprehensive board-building initiative - and this is your opportunity to get involved in something remarkable.

The Chicago Tribune recently lauded Lucky Plush’s "breathtaking comic approach to serious issues, self-reflecting takes on contemporary life and the creative process, and up-to-the-minute technology in both design and substance." ( September 7, 2016 )

By becoming a board member, you can support the organization’s endeavors and be a part of a growing, influential and innovative company with international renown. Board members have the opportunity to make a huge difference swiftly, by contributing time and talent to a rewarding, complex and dynamic organization on the rise.

HISTORY

Lucky Plush Productions is a Chicago-based dance theater company led by founder and Artistic Director Julia Rhoads. Lucky Plush is committed to provoking and supporting an immediacy of presence - a palpable liveness - shared by performers in real-time with audiences. A unique hybrid of high-level dance and theater, Lucky Plush’s work is recognized for its layered choreography, moving content, surprising humor, and socially relevant storytelling.

Since 2000, Lucky Plush has created 30 original dance-theater works including 14 evening-length productions. In addition to regularly performing in Chicago, the company has presented work in over 40 US cities from Maine to Hawaii, and its international partners span from New Zealand to Cuba. Presenting venues include Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (MA), Spoleto Festival/USA (SC), Portland Ovations (ME), ODC (CA), Maui Arts and Cultural Center (HI), Skirball Center (NYC), North Carolina State University (NC), Connecticut College (CT), and the Dance & Physical Theatre Trust of New Zealand, among others. Commissioning and presenting venues include the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Krannert Center at University of Illinois, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (MD), Flynn Center for the Performing Arts (VT), and Links Hall Chicago.

Lucky Plush is the first and only dance company to receive the prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, a recognition of the company’s exceptional creativity and impact. Lucky Plush has also received awards from National Performance Network, NEFA's National Dance Project, National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, Metlife Foundation, and the Lester and Hope Abelson Fund. Rhoads has received fellowships and awards from the Herb Alpert Foundation, Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography, Chicago Dancemakers Forum, Cliff Dwellers Foundation, Illinois  Arts Council, the Jacob K. Javits Foundation, and she received a 2014 Fractured Atlas Arts Entrepreneurship Award for initiating Creative Partners, a nonprofit financial model shared with Grammy Award-winning Eighth Blackbird and puppet theater Blair Thomas & Co.

Rhoads has been named in Dance Magazine’s "25 to Watch" and in Newcity ’s "Players: The 50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago," and Lucky Plush features include The Boston Globe's "10 Best Dance Performances of 2013," Chicago Public Radio’s "Best of 2011"; and Time Out Chicago's "The Decade's 10 Best Original Dance Works" and cover story "5 reasons to love dance in Chicago," among others.

JOIN US

Lucky Plush Productions seeks board candidates with a passion and commitment to making a difference in service of creativity and innovation.

Key qualifications include

• An appreciation for the performing arts, a desire to make an impact and an aspirational spirit

• Extensive professional experience with leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector desired

• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for Lucky Plush’s mission

Board members serve the organization in multiple ways:

• They champion Lucky Plush’s work and impart its values to the community, representing the organization and acting as spokespersons.

• They attend at least 75% of board meetings, committee meetings and special events. Board meetings are held every two months

• They commit to an annual contribution of $500 in board dues and to raising a minimum of $1,000 annually in additional support from the community and their networks in the form of either cash or in-kind contributions, and actively participate in one or more fundraising activities

• They actively strategize, participate in the essential work of governance, and help Lucky Plush meet its goals.

• They lend their talents to their choice of areas, including artistic, governance, finance, fundraising, marketing, networking, advocacy and planning.

• They celebrate the success of this dynamic institution, knowing their involvement made a difference!

NOMINATION PROCESS

Interested board candidates should send a letter of inquiry via email to Kim Goldman at kim@luckyplush.com and include the following details by November 30:

• Name, telephone number and email address

• Current position, title and employer

• Brief statement on why you wish to become involved, qualities you have to offer and areas of interest

• How you learned of this opportunity

• Any prior or current volunteer experience

• Bio, resume, CV or completed LinkedIn profile

The board of Lucky Plush reviews candidates on a weekly basis. Well qualified candidates will be asked to attend a board meeting, open rehearsal or small-group meet-and-greet. Following a thorough review, the board will vote and approve new candidates according to its by-laws.

For more information, visit luckyplush.com.