Who is eligible to apply?

• Candidates will meet the following criteria:
• • Self-identify as Black, Indigenous and/or a person of color; 
  • Self-identify as an early or mid-career leader in the field of arts and culture; 
  • Is an arts administrator or a significantly arts-interested member such as a volunteer or a public official; 
  • Current resident of the United States, including U.S. Jurisdictions (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands); and
  • Have not participated in or have participated in limited amounts of high-quality professional leadership development opportunities.

     

    In addition to meeting the criteria above, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, low-income and individuals residing in rural, remote or frontier areas are highly encouraged to apply.

Can I apply if I’m moving to one of the eligible states or jurisdictions?

• If this is the case, please contact Creative West Grants Management to discuss your situation; grants@wearecreativewest.org.

The selection panel consists of staff from the RAO where the applicant resides, trusted stakeholders, program faculty and alumni.

The panel weighs the applicant’s professional experience and background, degree of thoughtfulness, and commitment and clarity conveyed in the personal reflection. Those who meet the criteria above and who have had limited resources or access to professional development opportunities will be of high consideration.

Additional considerations will ensure a cross-section of diversity in race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, community (urban/suburban/rural), artistic discipline, years of experience and/or  affiliation with a culturally-specific organization.

Applicants should expect to hear by Friday, November 22, 2024.

Selected Fellows are expected to participate fully in both the national cohort sessions outlined below
and the regional cohort sessions outlined in the next dropdown.

Please read carefully.

LoCF Orientation

Deeper Dive Connections 

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 4 p.m.-7 p.m. MST

During this session, Fellows will start to build connections with the Fellows from across the nation. This community-building is critical in building a needed sense of belonging in the program and its small group work, as well as for nurturing ongoing professional relationships in the field.

Sessions

During monthly sessions, Fellows will work with LoCF faculty who will present a number of strategic concepts, including policy, advocacy and data; leadership; and culture of care. The content will be shared through lectures by the faculty and/or guest speakers, small group and/or individual exercises. While the bulk of the content will be presented during these sessions, Fellows should also carve out time for asynchronous home assignments – some with small groups and some on their own. 

• Monthly Sessions: Mondays*, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Mountain Time (MT)
• SESSION #1 – January 27, 2025 (MST)
• SESSION #2 – February 24, 2025 (MST)
• SESSION #3 – March 24, 2025 (MDT)
• SESSION #4 – April 28, 2025 (MDT)
• SESSION #5 – May 19, 2025 (MDT)
• SESSION #6 – June 23, 2025 (MDT)
• Regional Conversations + Recommendations: July 17, 2025, 4-7 p.m. (MDT)
  • During this session, Fellows will engage in conversations with their respective regional USRAO and work with staff to determine their ongoing engagement. Collectively, Fellows will lead a summit conversation as informed by their participation in the program. Fellows will also present a strategy for sustaining their connections as a full cohort.

*Due to the wide range of time zones, half-day monthly session start times for residents of the U.S. Jurisdictions in the Pacific region (ChST) will translate into the morning of the next calendar day. Please see below for clarification.

Selected Fellows are expected to participate fully in both the regional cohort sessions outlined below
and the national cohort sessions outlined in the dropdown above.

Please read carefully.

Monthly Regional Cohort Meetings 

The purpose of these monthly meetings will be to foster professional relationships, networking, and knowledge-sharing among fellows and strengthen their connection to the U.S. regional arts organization. Please see below regarding region-specific dates and times. 

The regional Meet-and-Greet sessions will take place in December, while the other regional cohort meetings will be monthly beginning in February and ending in July.

You will only be expected to attend dates in your own region.

Where will this take place? Is it in-person?

•  This program is entirely online.

Will there be any out-of-pocket costs associated with participating in the program?

• The six participating USRAOs fully fund this program. Selected fellows do not pay to participate.

Are Fellows compensated for their time during their participation?

• The six participating USRAOs do not compensate Fellows for their participation. If Fellows require a letter of support to encourage external support for their participation, the USRAO in their region is prepared to provide a letter if requested.

What have been some of the program outcomes?

• In 2019, Creative West commissioned an independent evaluation of the ELC program to assess whether we were meeting our stated program goals effectively. Key findings included:
• The program is well regarded by alumni and others in the field.
• The program achieves its goals to develop leaders of color committed to the arts.
• There is strong communication among participants and with Creative West.
• The program influences both the personal and professional lives of participants.
• As a result of the program, participants feel empowered and more capable of influencing the arts field.
• A strong majority of participants believe that the program positively affects their understanding of and capability to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Can I reapply if I’m not selected?

• Yes. Future opportunities will be publicized on this website.

In 2010, Creative West established its Emerging Leaders of Color Professional Development Program (now known as the Leaders of Color Fellowship), which promotes multicultural leadership and equity in the arts by:

• Building a cohort of cultural leaders of color in the western United States who are committed to the advancement of the arts.
• Engaging diverse 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 and the cultural interests of the communities they represent and serve.
• Deepening participants’ understanding of the arts in the United States and how public support sustains the vibrancy of the sector.

Learn more about our history of engagement with program alumni.

In 2019, Creative West commissioned an independent evaluation of the ELC program to assess whether we were meeting our stated program goals effectively. The evaluation provided alumni with an opportunity to reflect on the experience and any influence it may have had on various aspects of their personal and professional lives. Key findings included:

• The program is well-regarded by alumni and others in the field.
• The program achieves its goals to develop leaders of color committed to the arts.
• There is strong communication among participants and with Creative West.
• The program influences both the personal and professional lives of participants.
• As a result of the program, participants feel empowered and more capable of influencing the arts field.
• A strong majority of participants believe that the program positively affects their understanding of and capability to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.