EPI is designed for organizational leadership, board members, and staff of developing or newly launched artist residency programs and those looking to strengthen or evolve their work. If you are considering starting a residency program—or you are involved with supporting artists through a residency—then EPI is for you!

Still not sure if EPI is a good fit? Email programs [at] artistcommunities.org with your questions. 

Over four days (16+ hours of programming), EPI moves through the practical foundations of establishing and running a residency program. Topics include:

• Understanding the Field – trends (and gaps) in the residency field and the decisions (program structure, artist experience, organizational capacity) that shape where your residency fits
• Management Fundamentals – operational and governance practices that streamline efforts, deepen impact, support positive organizational culture, and protect staff and artists in moments of crisis
• Fundraising – exploring the range of revenue streams open to residency programs and how to diversify your own revenue mix and build lasting funder relationships
• Artist Experience + Program Operations – understanding artist care and the operational systems that back it across the arc of the residency experience
• Community Engagement – engagement strategies and public programs that create genuine value for both artists and community members
• Marketing + Communications – brand identity, communications approach, and artist recruitment strategy
• Impact – key evaluation frameworks tailored to your program and strategies for capturing compelling, honest stories and data that can be shared with multiple audiences
• Sustainability – equity-centered strategic planning and organizational practices that support long-term sustainability and resilience

Sessions will include facilitated discussions, interactive small-group work, and reflection prompts, supported by a workbook with templates and case studies you can return to and use after the institute ends.

Past presenters and guests have included senior leadership from new and established residency programs, program directors from foundations and arts-funding agencies, and experienced strategic arts consultants whose practices serve the arts residency field.

Check back for the full program soon! 

We have designed EPI’s modules to build on each other and to develop a cohort of participants who can continue to engage with and support each other through the program and beyond. For these reasons, we ask that you attend all four sessions:

• Thursday, October 22
• Friday, October 23
• Thursday, October 29
• Friday, October 30

We understand that there may be situations in which you are only interested in or able to participate in a more limited way. We are developing standalone modules and programs that can be accessed asynchronously. Please let us know at programs [at] artistcommunities.org about the topics or modules you would be interested in accessing. 

The Emerging Program Institute is hosted online. We recommend a strong internet connection and a quiet space where you can engage in discussion. Resources will be emailed to participants ahead of the session. 

All virtual sessions are live-captioned. ACA is committed to providing full access to all—please send accessibility inquiries and requests to ACA Special Projects Manager, Jessica P. Hoos, at jphoos [at] artistcommunities.org by October 8. 

Check your membership status by contacting members [at] artistcommunities.org. More information about membership can be found here. 

ACA membership is open to any organization or program whose primary purpose is supporting artists in the development of their work.

Our member network includes 400+ organizations and programs that provide time, space and resources for artists to advance their creative practice—from rural retreats to urban studio residencies, emerging residencies to decades-old institutions. Our members are in more than 20 countries and all 50 U.S. states, with budgets ranging from $5,000 to $5 million.

If you are part of an artist residency program—or are working to launch one—we invite you to become an ACA Member to access a range of benefits, including discounted rates for EPI! More information about membership can be found here.

If you have questions about membership, please contact members [at] artistcommunities.org. 

Registration tracking and event links must be processed through our online portal, which accepts all major credit cards and most digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. 

No. In order to foster a more transparent workshop environment for all participants, each attendee needs their own registration. Please don’t share your login credentials or screenshare sessions with unregistered attendees. Instead, register each interested colleague individually. Additional registrants from the same organization receive a discounted rate.

If your plans change, you may transfer your paid registration to another person. Email us at programs [at] artistcommunities.org to update your registration. Please submit the name, title, and email address of the new attendee.

If you need to cancel, let us know: 
By September 10, for a full refund, less processing fees
By September 24, for a 50% refund

We’re sorry, but we cannot offer refunds for registrations canceled after September 25.