Artists run a great many of the small, grassroots arts organizations that enrich neighborhoods and provide other artists with their first public exposure. NYFA provides a range of services to arts organizations to help them become stronger, do more of what they do, and grow.

Running these innovative arts organizations has always been a struggle, but in the post-9/11 economy, it was plain that everyone would have to learn to do more with less. Expanding on NYFA’s involvement in the 2001 New York Arts Recovery Fund a collaborative, comprehensive effort which provided $4,635,00 in funds for artists and arts organizations most affected by the tragedy of September 11 attacks, the NYFA Leadership Initiative was formed to strengthen organizations from within.

In 2003, the Leadership Initiative produced the Managing Your Organization’s Money workshop series. Rather than relying on the traditional lecture/student workshop model, these workshops incorporated a peer training element, allowing arts managers to learn from experts and from each other. The workshop series provided not only nuts and bolts techniques to help groups create a budget, manage cash flow, and present financial information to funders, but also tips for the managing of stress often involved in money matters.

The central part of the Leadership Initiative was Leaders Circle® seminars. Developed by Minnesota consultant Carter McNamara, a Leaders Circle® creates a network of peers who are in frequent, targeted dialogue to encourage and examine each other’s strengths and issues. Led by a facilitator and composed of highly focused learning groups of between five to seven arts executives—such as artistic directors and development directors—from similarly sized organizations, participants came prepared to work on individual goals or problems related to their organizations.

"I am thinking differently about myself as an artist because of this process... It has given me support and clarity in making necessary honest choices in my work." —Colleen, Leaders Circle participant

Eight groups met monthly at NYFA for seven months from October 2002 through April 2003. In association with the Harlem Arts Alliance, NYFA helped create four other Circles for its members, which met monthly in Harlem during the same period. A second series of Circles at NYFA began work in spring 2004. Several people from the first series also participated in the second one, attesting to program’s success at addressing important issues.

In 2003, special grants were available through the two locations made possible by part of the Rockefeller Foundation’s grant to the Recovery Fund. NYFA’s Leaders Circle participants were eligible for Richard Bartee Opportunity Grants. A total of $60,000 was distributed to 13 participants for project activities involving marketing, fundraising, finance, leadership, human resources and technology among other areas. These grants helped organizations with projects ranging from direct mail campaigns to Web site design and the creation of promotional materials, as well as professional development and salary support for part-time and intern positions.

Often, emerging organizations struggle in securing financial support because they lack the tax-exempt status needed to apply for funding. Until that time, Fiscal Sponsorship program for Emerging Organizations allows these organizations to apply for funding and resources through its non-profit status. Funded in part with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, this is one of the largest programs of its kind in the U.S. NYFA provided fiscal sponsorship for 77 organizations in 2003 and in 2004 along with structural support such as bookkeeping, payroll, and grant contract management as well as technical assistance through seminars on financial policies and consultations on organizations’ unique needs.

Organizations taking part in the program provide a wealth of programming to the community. For example, The African Film Festival presents cutting edge films from the African continent to New York City through its annual series. The 24 Hour Company brings together Broadway’s top talent to create and produce a new work in just 24 hours. The multicultural dance company, Complexions, was able to advance its multi-media work and expand its advisory board to increase fundraising and raise its overall visibility.

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