Four Americans for the Arts Advisory Councils -- the Arts Education Council, Emerging Leader Council, Private Sector Council, and the Public Art Network Council -- are currently seeking nominations for new council members to serve three-year terms from January 1, 2012 through December 30, 2014.

Americans for the Arts asks, first and foremost, that the councils advise our staff on programs and services that will build a deeper connection to the field and their network members.

This gives council members the opportunity to be spotlighted as national leaders and to give back to the field by connecting the national work of Americans for the Arts to the local level.

Here are quotes from current leadership council members on the value of serving in that role:

“Having people from across the country serve on the council gives Americans for the Arts insight into the unique challenges we face on a day-to-day basis. It helps connect ELs at a very grassroots level by connecting networks and creates a web of resources and support for ELs.” – Ruby Harper, Emerging Leader Council

"Serving on the Arts Education Council has been an incredibly rewarding experience so far! I'm enjoying engaging in provocative conversations with fellow arts education practitioners and administrators on current issues, challenges, and rewards coupled with fantastic professional development and networking opportunities to strengthen my skills and talents. Contributing to ARTSblog has provided a great platform for bringing more visibility to Pentacle, the organization I work with, and enthusiastically highlight local peer organizations whom I admire because of the excellence in their programming." – Sahar Javedani, Arts Education Council

"Serving on the PAN Council provides a unique opportunity to consider the breadth and depth of issues in the field, as well as a rich interaction with artists and other professionals on the Council and across the whole public art spectrum." – Glenn Harper, Public Art Network Council

"For a window directly into the future of fundraising, particularly the corporate sector, the Private Sector Advisory Council has proven invaluable. From the research from the Business Committee for the Arts, the employee involvement of the Arts & Business Council/Business Volunteers for the Arts, and the network of the United Arts Fund members, our local arts agency has been able to revise our fundraising plan, our grant program and address those professional development niches that are critical to our arts constituency." – Andrew Wilt, Private Sector Council

Nominations close tomorrow (October 7, 2011), so hurry and get on the ballot!