Who We Are
The Manatee Arts Education Council (MAEC) is an all-volunteer council of the Manatee Education Foundation (MEF) which seeks to support, promote and celebrate PreK-12 arts education in the School District of Manatee County and Manatee County public charters.
The vision of MAEC is for every student in Manatee County to have equitable access to a well-rounded education that includes a comprehensive, sequential, high-quality program of arts instruction.
MAEC believes that dance, music, theatre, visual art and media art are essential to a complete education and are central to the development of all children.
Members
Council membership is open to any individual or organization interested in supporting, promoting and celebrating PreK-12 arts education in Manatee County.
- Members are asked to pay yearly membership dues. The membership year runs from July 1 through June 30, and member levels include individual, educator, arts & cultural, and business & corporate.
- Members are asked to attended council meetings and serve on at least one committee.
- All dues-paying members have voting rights and have one vote when they are present at a council meeting.
Sponsorship dollars or in-kind services to support, facilitate and/or fund MAEC initiatives or events are not counted towards membership dues.
Things We Vote On
- Annual Budget
- Executive Council appointments/removals
- Establishment of new committees
- Items the council chairperson deems appropriate
A minimum of five (5) council members must be present for in-person or virtual conference call voting to occur; a simple majority is needed for any item to pass.
The council chairperson can also call for a vote-by-email of items as-needed. A minimum of ten (10) council members must respond; a simple majority is needed for any item to pass.
When We Meet
Council meetings are held quarterly in addition to committee meetings and special events. Members of the executive council meet monthly.
Executive Council
The executive council includes the following seats/roles:
- Chairperson
- Vice Chairperson
- Treasurer
- At-Large
- SDMC Visual and Performing Arts Specialist(s)
- Immediate Past Chairperson
Additional executive council seats/roles can be added with the recommendation of the council chairperson and vote of council members.
Executive council members serve two-year terms. General council members can choose to re-appoint executive council members to additional terms as desired.
Initiatives and Committees
Current MAEC initiatives/committees include:
- Arts Alive Celebration & Awards Ceremony
- Arts Rise & Shine Leadership Breakfast
- smARTen Up Summer Camp
- Membership
Committee chairs serve at least two-year terms. The executive council can choose to re-appoint committee chairs to additional terms as desired.