A professional development and networking opportunity for arts and cultural workers of color.
The Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) Professional Development Program promotes representative leadership and equity in the arts by:
Between 12 and 14 participants will be selected for this partnership program between South Arts and its colleague Regional Arts Organization WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation). This is a Southern pilot of the Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) program for cultural workers and arts administrators located in eight states in the southern region. Building on the success of WESTAF’s ELC program which has been attracting, training, networking and promoting a new generation of diverse arts leaders since 2010, the South Arts program will serve to advance Southern vitality through the arts through leadership development.
Candidates will meet the following criteria:
This inaugural convening will include between 11 and 14 participants, whose expenses are paid. At least one participant from each of these eight states will be selected.
Applications for Emerging Leaders of Color have closed.
Application deadline: September 15, 2020
Applicant Notification: Early October, 2020
Program Dates: Late November/Early December 2020
Meet the twelve participants in the first Southern cohort of Emerging Leaders of Color.
Meet the CohortThe deadline for this program has passed. The guidelines below are for reference only.
Faculty
Curriculum Sample
While the curriculum will be adapted to respond to the unique dimensions and dynamics of the South, it will include components such as:
We recognize that applicants will have many questions as they begin exploring the Emerging Leaders of Color Program. We have assembled this FAQ to address the most commonly-asked questions. If your question is not addressed here, please contact us.
FAQs last updated September 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
Candidates will meet the following criteria:
Why aren’t residents in Florida eligible to apply?
While most South Arts programs are open to individuals living in any one of our nine states, occasionally there are exceptions due to funders’ area of interest, restrictions of some kind, or other situations. Please visit www.southarts.org to learn more about our many region-wide programs and services.
Can I apply if i’m over 35 but I have less than 10 years of experience?
We exercise a certain degree of flexibility around this criteria but ask applicants to adhere as closely as possible to the age and experience guidelines.
Can I apply if I’m moving to one of the eligible states?
If this is the case, please contact Ethan Messere to discuss your situation; emessere@southarts.org, or 404-874-7244 x11..
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted on or by Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET.
What materials will I have to submit with my application?
The online application will collect your contact information, and applicants are asked to respond to a video clip on the topic of cultural equity. Responses can be either written (uploaded as a PDF) or an audio or video response (included as a link.) Applicants are also required to upload a letter of endorsement from a colleague as a PDF.
How would I create a link to share my audio or video response?
For video, upload your video to Youtube, change your privacy settings to unlisted or private and paste the link in the field. For audio, there are free sites such as Soundcloud where you can upload your audio to their site and paste the link to the page.
What should my letter of endorsement contain, and who should it be from?
An endorsement should come from a colleague who can speak to your professional qualifications. Endorsements must be 200 words or less and make the case for your suitability for the program based on stated criteria.
When and where is the convening going to take place?
Due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this convening will occur online. Exact timing of activities is to be determined, but these workshops will likely take place as a series of workshops in late November and early December.
Will there be any out-of-pocket costs associated with participating in the program?
No, this is an all expenses paid program.
Who is on the selection panel?
Staff from the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) which is where the program originated, South Arts staff, program faculty and alumni.
What does the selection panel evaluate?
The panel weighs the applicant’s professional experience and background, degree of thoughtfulness, commitment and clarity conveyed in the personal reflection, the professional endorsement, and additional considerations including race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, community (urban/suburban/rural), discipline, years of experience and affiliation with a culturally-specific organization.
When will applicants be notified of their status?
Applicants should expect to hear by early October 2020.
Can I reapply if I’m not selected?
The South Arts ELC is a pilot program in 2020. Future opportunities will be publicized on the South Arts website should additional funding be secured.
For more information about the Emerging Leaders of Color Program, contact Ethan Messere with South Arts or Madalena Salazar with WESTAF (madalena.salazar@westaf.org; 303-629-1166).
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