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NYSCA/NYFA Community Arts Leaders Program
- Arts Organizations
- Executive Directors
- Board Chairs
Image Detail: Gabe Brown (Fellow in Painting ’18), “Diamond Marsh,” 2017
This annual statewide program offers 45 nonprofit arts organizations insight into strategies to optimize their organizations and individualized support to address an immediate area of growth. The program is administered by NYFA with funding support from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Program Highlights
Technical Workshops
Participants learn best strategies behind key areas of organizational operations including Board Governance, Marketing, Fundraising, Succession Planning, Capital Management, Advocacy, and Leadership.
Board and Director Participation
The Executive Director and Board Chair from accepted organizations are both invited to participate in the program.
Consulting and Coaching
Organizations receive individualized follow-up support from a consultant or coach to address a specific issue facing their growth.
Peer Learning
At the Opening Intensive and Virtual Workshops, participants learn from each other and hear different perspectives from arts leaders around the state.
Eligibility
Eligible organizations must:
- Be arts organizations based in New York State,
- Have 501(c)3 status,
- Be currently or previously funded directly by NYSCA (FY23-FY25), and
- Have an operating budget below $1.5 million -or- have a new Executive Director who joined the organization within the last 3 years.
Rural and BIPOC-led community-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.
If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact NYFA at [email protected].
Application Requirements
- Contact Information for Staff and Board
- Organizational Information (address, mission, discipline, audience, operating budget, etc.).
- An implementation plan for how you intend to disseminate workshop learning across your organization.
- A narrative Scope of Work that details the barrier you face, as well as the types of individualized support you would like a consultant to provide.
- A projection of the impact the program may have on your organization if you participate.
How to Apply
Applications are now closed.
Questions? Contact NYFA at [email protected] and include “Community Arts Leaders” in the subject line.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by panels of arts leaders from around New York State.
Mandatory Program Dates
2025 Orientation Meeting – Tuesday, August 26, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM ET via Zoom
2025 Opening Intensives
Participants attend only one Opening Intensive, depending on their location.
- NYC (In-Person): Tuesday, September 9, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET and Wednesday, September 10, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET
- Syracuse (In-Person): Tuesday, September 16, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and Wednesday, September 17, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET
- Virtual: Tuesday, September 23, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and Wednesday, September 24, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET
2025 Virtual Zoom Workshops
- Tuesday, October 7, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
- Tuesday, October 21, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
- Tuesday, November 4, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
- Tuesday, November 18, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
- Tuesday, December 2, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
Closing Meeting – Tuesday, December 9, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM ET
How NYFA Supports Arts Leaders
Since 2013, NYFA Learning has supported the careers of arts administrators from over 300 arts and culture organizations in the New York City area and around the state by providing professional development that is tailored to the challenges of this vital profession.
NYFA believes that investing in cultural infrastructure improves the sustainability and success of arts organizations, and ultimately builds stronger connections between artists and administrators, which benefits the entire field. The programs particularly support administrators of color, and organizations which are BIPOC-led, community-based, or rural. Programs are application-based and offered free to participants who are selected by panels of expert colleagues in the field.
