2026 Emerging Leaders Program: Professional Development for Arts Administrators

Through the support of The Willem de Kooning Foundation, New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is pleased to announce the eighth session of the “NYFA’s Emerging Leaders Program,” a free year-long program that provides leadership training for mid career arts administrators. 

The goal of the program is to provide manager-level cultural workers with the skills and networks necessary to develop in their current positions, and to empower them to pursue future leadership roles in the non-profit arts sector.

NYFA believes an investment in cultural infrastructure benefits the entire field by building stronger links and shared knowledge between artists and arts administrators.

Selected participants will:

• Discover and better understand individual strengths, challenges, and motivations as a leader
• Explore various managerial models and tools that are key to successful arts management
• Identify the institutional functions and elements of success that are unique to arts leadership
• Develop an individual learning plan for each participant that addresses at least one current critical leadership challenge

They will benefit from:

• A cohort-learning model that relies on shared experiences to explore and develop a greater awareness of personal leadership style
• Guest speakers and group exercises that focus on purpose-centered leadership, including strength-based leadership, and decision-making frameworks
• Technical workshops related to management, strategic planning, and coaching tools
• Exposure to key influencers within the arts and cultural communities
• Access to alumni network and a group of alumni advisors for guidance and support
• A peer cohort of 24 arts administrators

Since its inception, over 160 arts administrators have participated in the program, coming from a diverse range of arts and cultural organizations serving a wide variety of disciplines and constituents. Please visit this link for a list of our alumni* from the inaugural 2013 cohort, 2014, 2016. 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2024 programs. 

*All affiliations were at the time that they took part in the program.

The program will include a five-day in-person intensive course comprised of workshops, follow-up virtual sessions and check-ins with NYFA staff and consultants, facilitated peer mentoring meetings, an alumni group meeting, a final two-day wrap up session, and a reunion event at the end of the year. 

NYFA is seeking applicants who are committed to the arts with clear long-term leadership goals that are willing to engage in self-reflection and step outside of their comfort zone to learn new skills. We integrate creativity into the program with a flexible and adaptive approach that adjusts to the needs of the cohort throughout.

Participants working in all disciplines are invited to apply. Visual arts-based administrators, and administrators of Color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Eligibility:

• Mid-level administrators in full-time employment by 501(c)3 arts and cultural organizations, managing at least one person at their organization.
• Commitment to attendance at all mandatory sessions
• Open to participants from the five boroughs of New York City and Tri-State area within commuting distance of New York City 

Application Guidelines:

For the application, we ask you to provide:

• Organization information
• A description of your current role and responsibilities
• Why you are interested in applying to this program and goals relative to your leadership career path within the next 2-5 years
• The impact you’d like this program to have for your organization, your role, or an institutional challenge you are facing.
• A narrative bio of your professional career
• Contact details of your supervisor and confirm permission to participate

Questions? Contact the NYFA Learning team at learning@nyfa.org with “Emerging Leaders Program” in the subject line. We understand that arts organizations can be structured in a variety of ways so please contact us for any eligibility clarifications. 

Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST)

Applications are reviewed by alumni of the program and outside executive professional(s). 

Notification: Applicants will be notified on or before February 6, 2026
 

Program Schedule: All Sessions are Mandatory

• Intro Meeting: Friday, February 20, 10am-12:30pm
• 5-day Opening intensive: Monday-Friday, March 9-13, 10am-4pm
• Virtual Workshops: Fridays 10am-1pm. April 17, June 12, August 14, October 16
• Virtual Pod Meetings: Fridays 10am-11:30am, March 27, May 15, July 17, September 18, November 13
• 2-day Closing Intensive: Thursday-Friday, December 10-11, 10am-4pm
• Reunion event: February 5, 2027, 5pm-7:30pm