How We Work Together

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.