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NYFA / Professional Development / NYSCA/NYFA Community Arts Leaders Program

NYSCA/NYFA Community Arts Leaders Program

  • Arts Organizations
  • Board Chairs
  • Executive Directors
An artwork made from collaged patterns; The outside is a green/ blue frame; the inside is made of warmer colors
Image Detail: Jacquelyn Strycker (Fellow in Painting ’24), “Puddles of Impermanence,” 2024, collage of risograph prints on handmade papers with acrylic gouache and sewing, Courtesy of the Artist
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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 a nonprofit organization based in New York State with a primary mission to support arts and culture,
  • Have 501(c)3 status,
  • Be currently or previously funded directly by NYSCA (FY24-FY26), 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 learning@nyfa.org.

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 opened at 10:00 AM ET Tuesday, May 12 and will close at 11:59 PM ET Wednesday, June 17.

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

Apply

To request an accommodation or assistance in applying, please email learning@nyfa.org. We ask that requests for accommodation be made as soon as possible or by Wednesday, June 3 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.

Questions? Contact NYFA at learning@nyfa.org 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. Applicants will be notified in mid August.

Mandatory Program Dates

2026 Orientation Meeting – Tuesday, August 25, 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 8, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET and Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET
  • Virtual: Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET and Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM ET

2025 Virtual Workshops

  • Tuesday, September 29, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
  • Tuesday, October 13, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
  • Tuesday, October 27, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
  • Tuesday, November 10, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
  • Tuesday, November 24, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM ET

Closing Meeting – Tuesday, December 8, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM ET

Alumni Mixer (Suggested, but Optional) – Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 PM-8:30 PM ET

Virtual Check In Conversations (Suggested, but Optional) 

  • Tuesday, February 23, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM ET
  • Tuesday, January 12, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM ET
  • Tuesday, February 2, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM ET
  • Tuesday, February 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.

NYFA Professional Development Programs

Artist as Entrepreneur Program
The Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color
Emerging Leaders Program
NYSCA Stabilization Program for Small Arts Organizations
See all programs
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