Prior to about 1980, we had no paid professional staff (the first paid ex.
dir. was hired in 1976).  The board, mostly artists and Art League students
who loved the place, did the tasks usually done by staff as well as other
usual board stuff, and an advisory board of primarily arts professionals
from around the city and state ensured that we kept to the ethics and
practices of the field.  They also agreed to be available on an individual
basis for consultation and moral support, and were.

As more professional staff was added, the board became less involved in
operations on a day-to-day basis and became more crucial to policy-setting
issues and especially fundraising.  The board became made up of financial
people, real estate people, lawyers, philanthropists, etc. The advisory
board was maintained but had less of a role in maintaining professionalism
within the field, because the professional staff could handle that--they
became more of a sounding board for very big changes (such as redefining our
mission, building a new facility, etc.), and to write letters of support for
us to major granting organizations.   This is how it remains today.  They
meet annually in a group, but we can call on members individually when we
need their professional advice.

I don't know if this experience with advisory boards is typical, but there
it is.  It works for us.

Julia Moore
Indianapolis Art Center