I serve on the boards of two cultural organizations: UnionDocs, a center for documentary art, and The Victorian Web, a non-profit dedicated to Victorian scholarship.
They seem different on the surface. But they share something essential—they create space for people to think deeply about things that matter.
That sounds abstract.
Here's what it means in practice: UnionDocs hosts screenings and conversations that help artists and audiences see connections they hadn't before.
The Victorian Web maintains decades of meticulous research because someone decided that scholarship matters, that precision matters, that helping students understand a historical period is worth the work.
Cultural institutions are struggling. Funding is tight. Attention is scarce. People are stretched thin.
But here's what I've learned from being inside these organizations: they don't need everything. They need people who show up. People with skills in areas they're weak—whether that's technology, fundraising, strategy, or just bringing a fresh perspective. They need board members who ask hard questions, not because they're trying to be difficult, but because caring about something means caring about whether it survives.
If you've been thinking about getting involved with a cultural organization, this is your sign. They need you. Find one that aligns with what you care about, and jump in.