In a rapidly evolving landscape; arts, culture, and heritage organizations need leaders who can steward people, relationships, and dynamic structures with care, clarity, and humility. This six-day intensive is designed for both emerging and seasoned leaders ready to strengthen their capacity to lead through complex governance and operational decisions with a people-centred approach. Focusing on governance and people systems, this program offers practical tools and critical insight to support healthy, values-aligned organizations. The course supports leaders in balancing the needs of the organization, the people, and self, including the complexity of working with people, relationships and systems.
Description
Through content, practical tools, case studies, peer learning, and experiential activities, participants will deepen their understanding of how governance and people practices shape organizational wellbeing. They will explore how to lead with humility, curiosity, and courage—embracing leadership as relational work that supports healthy teams, shared responsibility, and sustainable cultural organizations.
Program highlights
- Board development and effective governance practices
- Aligning governance structures with values and care
- Human resources fundamentals and people-centred systems
- Navigating tensions with confidence, empathy, and clarity
- Strengthening organizational culture and accountability
- Reflective practice as a means of developing leadership methods and ways of working.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
The program is designed to cater to arts and culture professionals working in organizations of any size and across any art form (visual arts, galleries, museums, theatre, dance, opera, film, music and literature).
This program is suited to those who are looking to build skills that will allow them to run effective organizations, build healthy and sustainable communities, and drive change, including:
- Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists
- Administrators, managers and directors
- Policymakers
- Creative producers
- Education and engagement specialists
- Community-based cultural workers in urban and rural settings
- Consultants
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Application Fee
$65 for individuals, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
The application fee is non-refundable. 100% of this fee goes towards the cost of administering the application in SlideRoom.
Limited funding is available to support up to 18 arts-sector participants, with priority given to those working in small Canadian non-profit arts organizations.
Key details:
- Funding amounts vary and do not cover the full program fee; participants should plan to contribute at least 25 percent of the total cost.
- Annual funding limits may apply and depend on availability.
- Funding is not available to applicants outside the arts sector or to international participants, who will be responsible for the full program fee.
- To be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.