Principle 1. Create vision, mission and values
- Author: Creative Australia, Dr Judith S. MacCormick, Bruce Rolph
Explore guides
On this page
1. Create a clear and inspiring vision
Individually and collectively, board members should enthusiastically commit to creating a clear and inspiring vision for your organisation’s future.
Working with senior management, such as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the board should ensure the vision articulates:
- why your organisation exists
- the impact your organisation wants to make.
2. Be committed to the mission
The board should show it understands and is committed to your organisation’s vision and mission. This involves balancing bold artistic vision and programming with sound financial management and oversight.
3. Deliver the mission
The board should ensure your organisation’s actions and decisions are aligned to your mission.
Delivering artistic or curatorial mission
Your board should give sufficient time and priority to discuss the organisation’s creative direction. Artistic excellence and contributing to public value should be core to your vision and mission.
Make creative direction a standing agenda item at board meetings. It deserves the same attention as finances, risk and industry change.
4. Demonstrate values
The board should also agree to and demonstrate the organisation’s values. This should be reflected in your organisation’s decisions and actions.
First Nations governance case study
First Nations governance at Magabala Books
How publishing house, Magabala Books, embeds First Nations ways of doing things at every level.
Principle 2. Deliver on performance
Understand how the board should provide strategic oversight and how its role differs from management.
