Emerging Program Institute (EPI), an annual training program hosted by Artist Communities Alliance (ACA), supports people and organizations in the early stages of creating a residency program.
This three-day intensive includes faculty-led sessions, artist presentations, interactive exercises and group discussions to provide attendees with the strategies, tools and networks to develop and strengthen all elements of their program utilizing ACA’s Five Pillars of Healthy Residency Framework: Identity, Program Design, Operational Excellence, Resource Development, and Stewardship.
2022 Emerging Program Institute
Last Fall, ACA hosted the Emerging Program Institute (EPI), an annual intensive that supports people and organizations in the early stages of creating a residency program. Since 2011, this yearly networking and learning opportunity has welcomed emerging leaders at all residency development phases — from the initial ideation stage to residencies preparing to launch.
Topics explored during EPI sessions include:
- Community engagement and relevance of place;
- Resource-building to sustain residency programs;
- Equity and access in artist outreach and selection; and
- Business planning and ongoing assessment
Guest Faculty
- Chyla Graham, CPA, President, CNRG Accounting Advisory
- Brea M. Heidelberg, PhD, ISO Arts Consulting
- Amanda Kik, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, Co-founder & Co-director
- Faythe Levine, Arts Consultant
- Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, Arts Consultant
- Jennifer Shropshire, Shropshire Nonprofit Consulting, LLC, Principal
- Thaddeus Squire, Social Impact Commons, Chief Commons Steward
- Aisha N. White, Nailah Studio, Arts Organizer
Spotlight Artists
- Jordan/Martin Hell, Artist, Writer + Scholar
- Haus of Glitter, Dance Company + Performance Lab + Preservation Society
- Adam Chau, Artist

Pricing
Member Organizations
1 Attendee: $450
2+ Attendees: $400 per person
Early Bird Registration (August 2 -16)
1 Attendee: $425
2+ Attendees: $375 per person
Non-Members
1 Attendee: $575
2+ Attendees: $525 per person
Early Bird Registration (August 2 -16)
1 Attendee: $525
2+ Attendees: $475 per person
Flexible rates available to organizations that are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)-led or founded; disability-led or founded. If you would like further information on these rates, please complete this form.
Space is limited to 75 participants. A waitlist will automatically be activated when tickets run out. We encourage all interested participants to sign up for the waitlist as spots may become available. Attendees will be notified if openings arise and will have 24 hours to claim the spot.
Register for EPI + become an ACA member as a bundle to save! Our Emerging Program Membership is designed to offer targeted support to any organization, association or person(s) that is within the first five years of founding AND has been accepting artists for less than three years. As a member, you will have access to ongoing staff support, resources + sample documents, virtual programming, affinity groups and promotion. When you join as part of registration, you will receive the workshop registration discount. If you have questions about membership, please contact members [at] artistcommunities.org.
More information about membership can be found here.
Accessibility
EPI will be captioned using Zoom’s AI software and ASL interpreted. ACA is committed to providing full access to all. Please send accessibility inquiries and requests to Quinn Casey at registration [at] artistcommunities.org by October 6.
Refund Policy
Plans changed? You may transfer your paid registration to another person. Email us at registration [at] artistcommunities.org to update your registration.
Or, if you need to cancel, let us know
- By September 2, for full refund, less $25 processing fee
- By September 26, for 50% refund
- We’re sorry, but we cannot offer refunds if you cancel after September 26.
FAQs
Who is the Emerging Program Institute for?
If you are considering starting a new residency program, or you are involved with supporting artists through residencies, the EPI is for you! EPI is designed for organizational leadership, board members, and staff of developing or newly-launched artist residency programs.
Not sure if EPI is right for you? Email us at registration [at] artistcommunities.org.
What will EPI cover and what can I expect?
Over the three days of online discussions, activities, and facilitated reflection, you will:
- Learn artist-centered practices for building effective programs, and inclusive, practical frameworks to identify and understand barriers;
- Connect with colleagues across the field; and
- Leave with actionable next steps to accomplish your goals.
Specific sessions and guest presenters are selected to be the most relevant and responsive to current field needs.
Past presenters and guests have included senior leadership from new and established residency programs, program directors from foundations and arts-funding agencies, senior staffers from the National Endowment for the Arts, and experienced strategic arts consultants whose practices serve the arts residency field.
Past sessions have included:
- Ethics and Equity in Artist Selection and Stewardship
- The Relevance of Place and Community Outreach
- Facilities Planning
- The Business of Residencies
- Fund Development for Artist Residencies
- and more!
Check back for the schedule and program soon!
Do I need to attend all three days?
Yes. Because the content builds on itself, it is important that attendees participate in all three days of the program (October 13th 12-2pm ET, October 19 + 20 from 12-5pm ET)
Will I need any special technology (software or hardware) to participate?
The Emerging Program Institute is hosted on the Zoom platform. You can register for a free Zoom account here. We recommend you be able to join via computer in a quiet location so you can fully participate. Digital materials resources will be emailed to participants ahead of the session.
I have a question about accessibility. Where can I get more information?
EPI will be captioned using Zoom’s AI software and ASL interpreted. ACA is committed to providing full access to all. Please send accessibility inquiries and requests to registration [at] artistcommunities.org by October 5, 2022.
How do I know if I am a current member of ACA?
Check your membership status by contacting members [at] artistcommunities.org.
Artist Communities Alliance offers different membership levels designed for your needs. More information can be found here.
I am not a member. Can I join today to register using the ACA member rates?
Yes, you can join at the Emerging Program Membership rate during EPI registration.
Our Emerging Program Membership is designed to offer targeted and ongoing support to any organization, association, or person(s) that is within the first five years of founding AND has been accepting artists for less than three years. As a member you will have access to ACA staff support, resources + sample documents, virtual programming and affinity groups, and promotion throughout the year. When you join as part of EPI registration, you receive the member registration discount.
More information about membership can be found here.
If you have questions about membership, please contact members [at] artistcommunities.org.
Can I pay by check?
Because registration tracking and event links are processed through Eventbrite, attendees must register through this portal. Eventbrite accepts credit card payments as well as PayPal. If you need to pay through your organization’s bank account, check to see whether it is linked to PayPal.
Can I share my login with my colleagues?
No. In order to foster a more transparent workshop environment for all participants, please do not share your unique registration with your colleagues or other organizations. We welcome you to register each interested colleague separately.
Can I share my screen with my colleague(s) under one registration?
No. In order to foster a more transparent workshop environment for all participants, please register each staff person individually.
I can no longer attend the institute. What are my options?
Plans changed? You may transfer your paid registration to another person. Email us at registration [at] artistcommunities.org to update your registration. Please submit the name, title, and email address of the new attendee
Or, if you need to cancel, let us know
- By September 2, for full refund, less $25 processing fee
- By September 26, for 50% refund
- We’re sorry, but we cannot offer refunds if you cancel after September 26.