Highwire Improv is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit arts organization based in Baltimore, MD. Founded in September 2020, the organization has been run via an operating board consisting of its four co-founders since inception, supported by an extraordinary community of volunteers and artists. Given the organization’s success, growth, and ambitious strategic goals for 2026 and beyond, the time has come to expand the Board of Directors to increase capacity and diversify the perspectives leading the way.
Today, we announce a board member search process that aims to expand the Board from six members to at least seven by January 2026, also accounting for the departure of Katie Overbey following a two-year term. This announcement includes details about the process, expectations of board members, and key skills and experiences we are prioritizing with this search.
2026 Strategy and Process
With the launch of The Highwire Center in September 2025, Highwire Improv has taken on a broader responsibility in the Baltimore arts community, with a multi-year lease, a significantly larger volume of programming, and key relationships within the Highlandtown neighborhood.
Further, this new home means new dimensions of work – greater legal and financial complexity, expanded opportunities for community and business partnerships, and a larger audience, student body, and instructor pool. The growth of the organization merits an expansion of board leadership, in particular as we build towards both part-time and full-time employed positions.
Expectations of Board Members
Highwire Improv limits the formal power of the Board of Directors, understanding that the laws and cultural expectations around non-profit boards can be antithetical to our values. Instead, we focus on building a group of active, operational stewards for the community. In particular:
- Board members will uphold Highwire Improv’s mission and values.
- Board members will not have any direct or indirect donation expectations.
- Board members will be expected to contribute to and attend open community meetings, roughly once per quarter, and attend bi-weekly leadership coordination meetings.
- Board members will be expected to contribute operationally to the organization’s programs based on a mutual fit of skills, including directly supporting in-person and online events, marketing, fundraising/grants, partnership development, and leading volunteer committees.
- Board terms are not fixed in length, but expected to be at least one year.
We are prioritizing new and complementary experiences and skills with this search:
- In particular, we encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and/or disabled people to apply.
- Experience within other Baltimore arts communities is of particular interest.
- Experience within non-Baltimore improv communities is of particular interest.
- Experience with writing grants, fundraising, community development, accounting, applied improv, and/or arts partnerships is of particular interest.
Board Member Search Process
We aim to complete the search process by mid-December, allowing for new board members to be elected and in place for January 2026. The search process will be three steps:
Step 1: Applications
Applications will be open from Oct 15th through Nov 7th.
Step 2: Candidate Interviews
The current Board of Directors will review all applications and select a group of up to 6 candidates to interview. Interviews will take place online, between Nov 10th and Dec 5th.
Step 3: Mutual Fit Interviews
Selected candidates will meet with the current Board of Directors as a group. The Board will present a current state of the organization and lead the group in a discussion. Candidates will have the opportunity to accept an offer to join the board based on their fit with the current board and other candidates. These meetings will be online, between Dec 8th and Dec. 19th.
Application
Highwire Improv Board of Directors Application
For questions, email: highwireimprov@gmail.com
