The Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color

• Self-identify as a leader of Color.
• Executive Leaders from non-profit arts and cultural organizations with all size budgets. (i.e. Executive Director, Artistic Director, Deputy Director, Program Director)*
• Commitment to mandatory attendance at all sessions.
• Open to participants from organizations based in the five boroughs of New York City or Tri-State area within commuting distance of New York City.

*We acknowledge there are different organizational models in New York City, so if you have any questions about eligibility, please contact us at learning@nyfa.org.

For the application, we ask you to provide:

• Organization information (i.e. organization mission, address, focus, website, and operational budget).
• Why you are interested in applying to this program and a list of goals relative to your leadership career path within the next 5+ years.
• Your current role and responsibilities.
• A particular challenge in your current organization that participating in this program could help you address.
• A narrative bio of your professional career.
• Contact details of a Board member or an Advisory committee member of your organization.**

**We will only contact them if you are selected for the program to ask for their support for the time commitment involved.

Applications opened at 10:00 AM ET Tuesday, January 13 and will close at 11:59 PM ET Wednesday, February 25.

NYFA only accept applications through Submittable. First-time users will need to register with Submittable to access the application portal.

To request an accommodation or assistance in applying, please email learning@nyfa.org or call NYFA Learning at 212-366-6900 Ext. 265. We ask that requests for accommodation be made as soon as possible or by Wednesday, February 11 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.

Questions? Contact the NYFA Learning team at learning@nyfa.org with “The Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color” in the subject line.

Applications will be reviewed by alumni of NYFA’s Incubator program and outside executive arts leaders.

Applicants will be notified on or before Friday, April 3, 2026.

• Intro Meeting: Thursday, April 23, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
• Two-Day Opening and Closing Intensives: 
  • Thu, May 7-Fri May 8, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
  • Thu, Oct 1-Fri, Oct 2, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
• Virtual Workshops: Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
  • May 21, June 4, June 18, July 23, August 27, Sept 10
• Incubator Mixers (Optional Evening Social Gatherings):
  • July 9
  • August 13

The program is designed to be hybrid. The two-day intensives are planned to be held in-person, and check-in meetings and technical assistance workshops will take place online on Zoom. We continue to monitor Covid-19 and in-person meetings will be moved online if necessary.

Attendance is mandatory for all sessions, so please check your calendar before applying.

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.