Cultural Leadership: Reflecting Forward with Wise Practices

What does it mean to lead well in today's arts and culture sector? How do you know you're making the right decision for yourself, your organization, and your community? What does it look like to be strategic and thoughtful while managing risk in a rapidly evolving sector?

Leadership in the arts and culture sector is complex, dynamic, and deeply connected to community. This program invites emerging and experienced leaders to explore leadership through the lens of Indigenous wise practices, right relations, deep listening, self-inquiry, and leadership as a means, not a destination.

Over six days, participants will reflect on their leadership values and experiences while learning alongside a peer cohort of cultural leaders. Participants will be given an opportunity to bring cultural challenges into the room and work through them using wise practice principles.

Together, we will delve into areas such as governance, strategic thinking, organizational development, cultural policy and protocols, and community engagement — not as isolated skills, but as interconnected elements of resilient, values-based leadership.

Program highlights

  • Wise Practices Leadership Competencies
  • Leadership as Practice
  • Designing for Action: Social Network Mapping
  • Strategic Thinking in a Changing Sector
  • Self-inquiry, Reflection, Land-based Deep Listening
  • Collaborative Decision Making
  • Insights from the Inside: Converse with CEOs
     

Learn more and apply.

Deadline
Residency Length
6 days - 6 days
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
28
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Augmented Reality
Blacksmithing
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Choreography
Computing
Costume/Fashion Design
Criticism
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Storytelling
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
N/A
Accessible Housing
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Meals Provided
All meals
Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Additional Eligibility 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. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

Artist Stipend
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
3465
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

Funding of up to $2500 is available to support participants. Those working for non-profits and smaller organizations are encouraged to apply.

If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.

Application Fee
65
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Application Type
Open application