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.
• LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, disabled people, low-income and individuals residing in rural, remote or frontier areas are 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 Josh Ellis to discuss your situation; josh.ellis@westaf.org, or +1 (720) 547-3537 x874.

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 17, 2023.

Selected Fellows are expected to participate in all of the sessions outlined below. 

Please read carefully.

LoCF Orientation

Meet-and-Greet 

Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023 3 p.m.-7 p.m. MT

During this session, Fellows will receive an overview of the program and will meet with representatives from the USRAO in their region. Fellows will learn more about the work of USRAOs and work out a check-in cadence with their USRAO regional program liaison

Deeper Dive Connections

Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023 3 p.m.-7 p.m. MT

During this session, Fellows will start to build connections with the Fellows in their region as well as 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*, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Mountain Time (MT)
• SESSION #1 – January 29, 2024
• SESSION #2 – February 26, 2024
• SESSION #3 – March 25, 2024
• SESSION #4 – April 29, 2024
• SESSION #5 – May 24, 2024

*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.

Regional Conversation + Recommendations

Date: July 17 or 18, 2024, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. MT

• More Details To Come

For technical assistance, please contact josh.ellis@westaf.org  or +1 (720) 547-3537 x874.

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, WESTAF 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 WESTAF.
• 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, WESTAF 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, WESTAF 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 WESTAF.
• 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.