Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) is a free multi-day professional development program for early to mid-career arts administrators of color. This partnership program between South Arts and its colleague Regional Arts Organization WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) provides tools, continued learning opportunities and a network to administrators of color who seek to move into leadership positions in the arts and culture sector. This second Southern cohort will build on the success of South Arts’ first cohort and WESTAF’s ELC program which has been attracting, training, networking and promoting a new generation of diverse arts leaders since 2010.

Program Goals

ELC promotes representative leadership and equity in the arts by:

• Building a cohort of cultural leaders of color in the southern United States who are committed to the advancement of the arts.
• Engaging diverse emerging leaders in coursework and activities designed to strengthen competencies and prepare participants for leadership positions in the field.
• Providing opportunities for promising arts professionals to establish networks that support their careers.
• Advocating for the cultural interests of the communities participants represent and serve.
• Deepening participants’ understanding of the arts in the United States and how public support sustains the vibrancy of the sector.

18 participants will be selected for the second Southern cohort of this program, which will occur online in late January or early February 2022. At least one participant from each of South Arts’ nine-state region will be chosen to participate, with participation expenses paid. Selected participants will also be invited to join program alumni for continued leadership development.

Who is this program designed for?

Applicants, selected by a panel of program staff, faculty and alumni, will meet the following criteria:

• Have less than ten years of experience working in arts administration
• Self-identify as a person of color
• Are employed as a cultural worker or arts/cultural programs administrator or have been recently employed in arts administration with plans to continue work in the sector (this program is not designed to serve individual artists.)
• Have not had an opportunity to participate in high-quality professional development during their capacity as an arts administrator
• Is a current resident of South Arts’ nine-state region

This online convening will include 18 participants, whose expenses are paid. This multi-day convening will occur online in January or February 2022.

What does the program offer?

Selected individuals will participate in a professional development and team-building workshop at no cost to themselves. The program is designed to:

• Build a cohort of cultural leaders of color in the southeastern United States who are committed to the advancement of the arts.
• Engage diverse emerging leaders in coursework and activities designed to strengthen competencies and prepare participants for leadership positions in the field.
• Provide opportunities for promising arts professionals to establish networks that support their careers and the cultural interests of the communities they represent and serve.

Deepen participants’ understanding of the arts in the United States and how public support sustains the vibrancy of the sector.

Important Dates:

• Application deadline: December 1, 2021
• Applicant Notification: December 15, 2021
• Program Dates: January/February 2022