National Arts Strategies has long been in the business of building capacity for arts organizations and cultural leaders. In the olden days, as the National Arts Stabilization Fund, the organization did so through rigorous financial goal-setting and incentives for entire communities of organizations. In its past decade, the organization has emphasized professional education through immersive workshops for groups of leaders in strategy, management, finance, alliances, and other essential elements of success.
Now they’ve decided to focus their attention and energy on a curated learning community of 100 chief executives through the Chief Executive Program. And the call is open for becoming one of those 100.
Beyond its selectivity, the two-year program is intriguing for its many interlocking parts:
- Intensive education/learning sessions at major business schools (three over the course of two years).
- Seed money in the form of a $250,000 ‘investment marketplace’ that is both available to and guided by the program participants.
- Individual and group support to enact change at their host institutions and throughout their period in the program.
- Communication both from and about the 100 participants and what they’re learning along the way, so the wider field can learn, as well.
If you or one of your colleagues seems like a fit for the challenge, National Arts Strategies is now accepting applications to be one of the 100 (be sure to read the criteria and expectations). If I had the words ‘chief’ and ‘executive’ in my title, I’d be extraordinarily tempted to apply.
