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Five Reasons You (or Someone You Know) Should Apply to ARC’s Arts Leadership Program

Posted on: Aug 31, 2017

Are you a community leader working independently or at a corporation, nonprofit, government, school, or foundation?

Are you interested in strengthening your leadership skills while learning more about the challenges facing the region’s arts and culture community?

Then you might be a great fit for the next Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta (ALMA) class. The Atlanta Regional Commission is now accepting applications for this program, which is committed to connecting leaders in the arts from around the region.

ALMA’s classes take place once a month, from January through May 2018. The application deadline has been extended to October 20, 2017. Class schedule and cost can be found on our website.

Apply now.

Here are five reasons community leaders across the 10-county region have been making connections at ALMA for 14 years and counting.

1. You want to understand how the arts connect to the larger community.
   

   At ALMA, you’ll explore how arts and culture intersects with government, business, and everyday life across the region. You’ll also gain an understanding of the key issues facing arts and cultural organizations today.

2. You know partnerships are where it’s at.
   

   Whether you work at a business, government, nonprofit, or are an independent artist, operating in a silo is the easiest way to go nowhere fast. Keeping your work dynamic depends on building a strong community. ALMA will help expand your network,  building the relationships that will spark new ideas and take your work to new heights.

3. You want to learn how to think regionally…and have a greater impact because of it.
   

   ALMA will set you up to consider your work’s potential beyond your usual audience and community, deepening its impact. Past participants have learned about regional issues like transportation and economic competitiveness, and how they impact arts and culture.

4. You want a leadership training program that’s as lively as it is informative.
   

   We’ve got you covered. At each ALMA session, you’ll hear from—and interact with—speakers who represent the region’s arts, culture, and civic communities. Past speakers have included former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez, and MailChimp Corporate Citizen Director Lain Shakespeare. More past speakers can be found on our website.

5. You want a leadership training program where the connection doesn’t end on the last day.

   Participation opens you up to ALMA’s alumni network, which is more than 600 leaders strong.

Apply now.

Classes start in January 2018. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, October 20, 2017.

“I have had conversations with my ALMA classmates about collaborating on site-specific arts programming for my organization. In conversations with my city council, I am continually advocating for the arts. I have also been inspired and energized to attend many more events in the metro area such as first Fridays at the High, performances at local theaters and exhibits at MODA.”
– Susan Mitchell, Dunwoody Nature Center, ALMA Class of 2017

“Specifically, I am connecting with ALMA classmates to offer models and resources to guide Gwinnett County as it explores county arts funding.”
– Liz Hartnett Santamaria, Aurora Theatre, ALMA Class of 2017