APAP LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM A collaboration between APAP and the Arts Leadership Program at USC Kenneth Foster Director, Arts Leadership Program University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Scott Stoner Vice President, Programs and Resources Association of Performing Arts Presenters Washington, DC GUIDELINES FOR 2016-2018 COHORT In partnership with the Arts Leadership program at USC (ARTL@USC) and with the support of the American Express Foundation and The Wallace Foundation, APAP is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the second year of its Leadership Fellows Program (LFP). The program, which is described in detail below, is a 20-month commitment by midcareer professionals from all parts of the performing arts presenting field who are interested not just in improving their capabilities as leaders but in growing and influencing the knowledge and practices of the field of performing arts presenting. The program is organized by annual cohorts of Fellows all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to a collaborative process that will enhance the knowledge, skills, and overall capacity needed to effect change in their current work and for the future. PROGRAM GOAL Through the Leadership Fellows Program, APAP seeks to build a body of knowledge and contribute to the growth and development of the field of performing arts presenting in a time of unprecedented change. We will accomplish this through a sustainable, multiyear program of organizational leadership development, focused on mid-career professionals, providing them the opportunity to grow their ability to be effective arts organization leaders and increase their influence in the field of performing arts presenting. ELIGIBILITY The 2016-2018 program aims to serve a cohort of 26 individuals who embody the broad diversity of the field of performing arts presenters. This encompasses professionals with a minimum of 7-12 years of experience (but those with longer term experience will also be considered) with artistic and/or managerial responsibility in an organization that is APAP Fellows Program 1 Cohort II 2016-2018 actively engaged in some aspect of the presenting field. This could include, but is not limited to, artist management companies, presenting organizations, service organizations, funding bodies, artists and artist-run organizations. Candidates must confirm organizational executive support to fully participate in the Fellows program activities outlined below, in addition to taking the lead in organizing an action research project in conjunction with their professional capacity within their organization. While individualized learning opportunities are created through the structure of the program, the commitment and willingness of the participants to deeply engage with their professional circumstances and their colleagues is vital to the success of the individual’s experience and the program itself. PROGRAM OVERVIEW Recognizing that learning is an iterative and evolving process, the structure of the Fellows program will require a 20-month commitment of each participant, beginning June 2016 through January 2018, which includes: An initial 5-day Intensive at USC, June 21-26, 2016 (attendance all 5 days required - no exceptions) Virtual monthly cohort meetings throughout the duration of the program An interim 1-day pre-conference session at the January 2017 APAP|NYC annual conference A 3-day Learning Lab at USC in June 2017, exact dates TBD A final 1-day pre-conference session at the January 2018 APAP|NYC annual conference PARTICIPANT OBJECTIVES: Each LFP participant will: 1. Increase mastery of his/her own organizational leadership abilities through selfawareness, reflection, and ongoing learning. 2. Achieve a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the external environment, how this is affecting both the arts and communities and how to apply that understanding to his/her work as an arts leader. 3. Enhance personal understanding and awareness of the opportunities presented by the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States, how that relates to and affects oneself and one’s organization and how to create strategies of equity, opportunity and access to the arts that are authentic and relevant. APAP Fellows Program 2 Cohort II 2016-2018 4. Renew and revitalize his/her thinking and work in relation to the coming together of art, artists and communities, the core function of performing arts presenting. Learn to think imaginatively about how to make this happen in one’s own circumstance. 5. Understand the need for organizations to function as learning organizations whose practices evolve as the organization achieves new knowledge and determine how to create a learning organization. 6. Participate as a member of a growing community of thought leaders who, through their work and their individual leadership, are creating knowledge and shaping a vision of the world of presenting the performing arts. COST This program receives substantial support from the American Express Foundation and The Wallace Foundation. Nonetheless, a $50 application fee is required, and for those participants selected, a financial commitment of $2,800 is required, which reflects personal and/or institutional commitment. Included in that fee is lodging and meals at the Intensive in 2016 and the Learning Lab in 2017; complimentary registration at the 2017 and 2018 APAP|NYC conferences (excludes awards luncheon ticket). In the interests of creating an economically diverse constituency for the program, partial scholarships of varying amounts are available to individuals who make a case for their support in the application process (see Application). THE INTENSIVE EXPERIENCE: JUNE 21 - 26, 2016 at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles) The Intensive will begin at 2:00pm PST on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and conclude on Sunday, June 26, 2016 by noon. Participants will stay on campus in individually assigned single dorm rooms with a shared bathroom for every two rooms. Meals are covered by APAP and will vary, some on campus and some off. APAP Fellows Program 3 Cohort II 2016-2018 PURPOSE The 5-day Intensive at USC is designed to lay the foundation for the 20-month program. The specific purposes of the Intensive are to: 1. Establish each year’s cohort as a cohesive group that will stay together for the 20-month process and emerge as a community of thought leaders who support and challenge each other in their growth and development as leaders; a portion of the Intensive period will be in conjunction with the previous year’s Fellows. 2. Provide an initial immersion into the issues expressed in the learning objectives; 3. Create small group/peer mentoring cohorts; 4. Connect theoretical knowledge with actual work that includes refinement of each Fellow’s action research project; and 5. Provide an inspirational experience that generates excitement in each participant to remain committed to the group and to continue his/her own growth and development. CURRICULUM MODULES FOR THE INTENSIVE KNOWING YOURSELF – PATHS TO LEADERSHIP AWARENESS and SELF MASTERY Leadership begins with the individual and a deeper understanding of yourself, the particular strengths you bring to the leadership challenge and the areas of effective leadership practice that you want to develop. Assessment tools will be used to help each Fellow examine more closely his/her leadership effectiveness. As a result, Fellows will develop goals and strategies for improving their leadership work both during the intensive and when you return to your place of work. WHAT’S HAPPENING OUT THERE – THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT The rapidly changing environment - the interconnected trends and movements that are creating an environment of uncertainty and even chaos in our field and our world – is a key aspect of what makes contemporary arts leadership challenging, so we will explore these as a way to develop the context for your work. There will be some assigned reading before the intensive to get some deeper background than you might currently have. During the Intensive itself, Fellows will interact with guest speakers – thinkers and doers whose knowledge of and insights into the changing nature of our world will challenge and inspire. There will be time for reflection and deep conversations with colleagues about the present and the future, what it means for the individual and his/her organization and how applied leadership can make a difference. APAP Fellows Program 4 Cohort II 2016-2018 EQUITY, ACCESS, OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION The continuously changing face of the United States is a cultural challenge, not just a demographic or political one, so arts leaders have a particular responsibility to themselves, their organizations and their communities to create and lead authentic arts strategies for a complex, multicultural environment. Not all of us are well equipped to tackle this challenge, so we’ll do some important work here towards reflection and greater self-awareness of cultural biases. And, we will learn about successful strategies that others are pursuing that can show us new ways of thinking and acting in a multicultural America. ART, ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY The core of the idea of the presenting field is to bring together art, artists and communities for a shared artistic experience. Yet too often we become so involved in the challenges of making our organization or our business work that we can lose sight of why we are here and what our core purpose is. We will take some time to revisit the deeply important questions of why art matters and how each of us – artist, manager and presenter – can reimagine our work and create important arts experiences for our communities. We will explore new strategies around aesthetics, programming, artistic direction, curating, and the changing role of the community in your artistic practice. BECOMING A LEARNING ORGANIZATION Just as your evolution as an arts leader never ends, neither does your organization’s, its role and its purpose. Change is indeed the only constant, and today’s arts leaders are engaged in continuous change management. Yet you may find that barriers exist within your own organization – from the Board, the Director, colleagues, constituents – even yourself! Each Fellow will learn how to rethink organizational purpose and practice in the context of a changing world and hear from people who are making this work for them and for their organizations. STRUCTURE AND METHODOLOGIES As co-directors, Kenneth Foster and Scott Stoner will facilitate the events of the Intensive. Advising them in both curriculum development and engagement strategies at the Intensive and throughout the 20-month period is a select team of five Group Leaders, identified for their expertise and experience in the field. These Group Leaders will facilitate the small group mentoring circles that are formed at the Intensive and also meet virtually throughout the 20-month program. Recognizing that Fellows are working professionals, our intention is to create an experience that is vital and stimulating with various teaching and learning strategies, emphasizing interaction and ongoing evaluation. APAP Fellows Program 5 Cohort II 2016-2018 This will include: 1. Individuals with specific expertise to address certain topics 2. Reports from the field – people in the field of current practice who can share their experiences from which participants glean insights 3. Reflection – time alone for journaling and self-tracking of personal growth and development 4. Collaborative inquiry – meeting with colleagues also committed and interested in understanding how to grow as arts and community leaders to address some of the key questions related to each of the topic areas of the Intensive. 5. Mentoring circles – small groups of Fellows with a Team Leader/Facilitator to help guide the group’s reflective thinking, idea sharing, problem solving and overall growth of the individuals participating 6. A robust evaluation experience that includes pre-workshop assessment tools, self-reflection, ongoing interaction with faculty, speakers and colleagues and a post session evaluation. ACTION LEARNING PROJECT While we know each Fellow wants to engage in new thinking and embrace new ideas, we also know that each will be returning to his/her organization and its discrete challenges. So we want to ensure that the experience of the Intensive is not only relevant to your daily work but also serves as a catalyst for putting ideas into actions, concepts into practice. In the application process, each applicant is asked to identify an institutional/personal issue, opportunity or challenge that he/she is currently facing and would specifically like to work on during the Intensive and beyond. This should be a conceptual/purpose related issue – something that will require research, reflection and experimentation on the Fellow’s part as he/she moves forward in working on it. Some examples of projects could include: 1. An agent/manager who: a. is considering whether to grow, shrink and/or diversify his/her roster of artists in response to changing demographics b. is seeking a new business model that reflects the changing revenue and touring dynamics c. wants to move away from the roster approach to a project based approach in his/her organization APAP Fellows Program 6 Cohort II 2016-2018 2. An artist who: a. Wants to transform his/her organization according to a different model of working b. Wants to reconsider modes of presentation and repertory choices based on a desire to create a more dynamic relationship with his/her community c. Wants to reimagine the creative process to reflect a new artistic direction for the company 3. A presenter who: a. Wants to reconsider the artistic vision of their organization based on a changing (or changed) community b. Needs to reconsider organizational design in order to remain robust and relevant to the community c. Wants to build a more collaborative organization, internally and externally 4. Anyone who: a. Wants to create a more productive working dynamic within his/her organization b. Wants to consider career trajectory options that might be viable for him/her c. Wants to build sustained arts activity within a community based context, outside the traditional organizational parameters We will be seeking to create a cohort of individuals whose projects are diverse and reflective of the challenges of working in a changing external environment. The most important criteria however is that it be critically important to the vitality of the individual and/or the organization. Each participant will present the dimensions of his/her challenge at the first gathering of the Intensive. In the small group mentoring circles and guided by the Group leaders, using a structured inquiry and problem solving process, you’ll brainstorm ideas and strategies together. Using technology that can connect people in disparate places, each group will continue its work following the Intensive and throughout the 20 month term of the program. APAP Fellows Program 7 Cohort II 2016-2018 APPLICATION OVERVIEW AND PREVIEW In order to assemble as powerful of a group as possible, we have designed a comprehensive application process. Our purpose is not to exclude but rather to try to build a robust cohort of dedicated individuals that can lead to a transformational experience for you. We also hope that the application process itself gives you a chance to reflect on where you are and what you are seeking. SELECTION CRITERIA Through the application process we are seeking individuals who seem most likely to meet the program objectives. We are especially looking for people who demonstrate: A depth of experience that insures constructive participation in the program A desire to learn and apply that learning to real world situations An openness to alternative thoughts and ideas about how to work A commitment to the presenting field as vital to the arts in America A willingness to share your learning with others Please note: Finalists may be interviewed (live or via video conferencing) by one or more of the Co-Directors and/or Group Leaders. HOW TO APPLY - DEADLINE: 5:00pm ET on Thursday, February 11, 2016 1. Review the LFP Guidelines and Application Preview (this document) 2. Prepare an updated resume and your responses to the short answer questions (to be uploaded/written into the online application). We’re mostly interested in your work experience and the scope of responsibilities you have had over time. 3. Collect a completed Nomination Form (use template provided) from someone who knows you and your work well (to be uploaded into the online application). 4. Collect a Letter of Support (any format) for your participation from your organization’s leadership (to be uploaded into the online application). 5. Mail/fax a Payment Form to APAP along with a $50 application fee. Please note: for your security, Payment Forms submitted via email will not be accepted. 6. Submit all application information and support materials (resume, nomination form, letter of support) through the LFP online application system. Please note: applications submitted via email will not be accepted. APAP Fellows Program 8 Cohort II 2016-2018 APPLICATION PREVIEW The following serves as a preview to the online application to assist you with preparing your full LFP application for submission. Please review the requested information below in detail, prepare written responses to the short answer questions, and collect all support materials (resume, nomination form, letter of support) in advance of beginning the LFP online application. You will not be able to save/return to an incomplete application. A completed LFP application and all support materials must be submitted through the online application system no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 11, 2016. The Payment Form and $50 application fee must also be mailed/faxed to APAP by the deadline. Applications/Payment Forms submitted via email will not be accepted. APPLICANT INFORMATION Name: __________________________________________________________________ Title: ___________________________________________________________________ Organization: ____________________________________________________________ APAP Membership Status: _____My organization is currently an APAP member _____My organization is currently NOT an APAP member Please note: you do not have to be an APAP member to apply, but if accepted into the program, then you must become a member. An APAP staff person will work with you to find the appropriate membership level for you. Organization’s Address: ____________________________________________________ Best Phone Number: _________________ Best Email Address: ____________________ Number of years in the performing arts presenting field: ________________ Have you ever attended the APAP|NYC annual conference before? Yes No Yes, but only as a volunteer OPTIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION Gender: _____________________________ Age: __________________________ How do you identify your race/ethnicity: ______________________________________ APAP Fellows Program Application Preview Cohort II 2016-2018 ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION Please provide the following information regarding the head of your organization (ED/CEO/President/Board Chair): Full Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: _____________________________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________________ Please select which option most closely corresponds to your organization’s work in the performing arts presenting field: Presenting Presenting Support Performing Consultant Artist Management Producing Other, please specify ___________________________________ Please select which option most closely corresponds to your organization’s legal status: Commercial (for-profit enterprise) Nonprofit (incorporated) Public college/university Private college/university Government (local, regional or state) Unincorporated Please selects which option best describes the type of area in which your organization is located? Urban Suburban Small city Rural What populations or community constituency does your organization serve? ________________________________________________________________________ Which performing arts discipline(s) does your organization primarily present or represent? _______________________________________________________________________ Please supply the following information about your organization: Annual budget: ____________________________________________________ Number of staff employed: ___________________________________________ Number of staff in your department: _______________________________ Number of staff you supervise: ________________________________________ APAP Fellows Program Application Preview Cohort II 2016-2018 PLEASE ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS (300 words max for each question) YOU---Tell us about yourself – your background, the life challenges you may have faced, your values and ideals and what drives you to participate in the work of the presenting field? (300 words max) YOUR ORGANIZATION--Give a brief description of your organization, the community(s) that you aim to serve and the leadership role that you play in either/both. What is the greatest challenge facing you and/or your organization at this time? (300 words max) WHY--Addressing the selection criteria, explain what you believe you will contribute to the program and what you hope to receive from your participation. (300 words max) ACTION LEARNING PROJECT--Briefly describe your proposed action learning project, the vision you have for the project and your specific role in making it happen. (300 words max) SUPPORT MATERIALS (collect in advance and submit through the online application) Upload your current resume outlining your professional skills and background: Upload a completed Nomination Form (please use template provided on the LFP webpage) from someone who knows you and your work well: Upload a Letter of Support from your organization's leadership: APPLICATION FEE A $50 application fee is required to review your application. Please mail/fax a Payment Form (see LFP webpage) to APAP along with a $50 application fee before the deadline (checks sent by mail must be postmarked before the deadline). For your security, Payment Forms submitted via email will not be accepted. _____I plan to mail my Payment Form with a check to APAP. _____I plan to fax my Payment Form with credit card info to APAP. FELLOWSHIP FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION For those selected, a financial commitment of $2,800 is required to participate in the program, which reflects personal and/or institutional commitment. A limited number of scholarship funds are available to qualified candidates. APAP Fellows Program Application Preview Cohort II 2016-2018 Please indicate whether you/your employer can pay the full $2,800 program fee, can only pay part of the program fee, or if you will need a full scholarship. _____Able to pay the full $2,800 _____Need a full scholarship _____Can pay partial (please indicate the amount $_____) THE 20-MONTH LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM KEY DATES ARE: An initial 5-day Intensive at USC, June 21-26, 2016 (attendance all 5 days required - no exceptions) Virtual monthly cohort meetings throughout the duration of the program An interim 1-day pre-conference session at the January 2017 APAP|NYC annual conference A 3-day Learning Lab at USC in June 2017, exact dates TBD A final 1-day pre-conference session at the January 2018 APAP|NYC annual conference If selected to participate, I understand that (all must be checked): o The key dates listed above are requirements of the program. o APAP will provide lodging and meals for the Intensive and Learning Lab at USC in Los Angeles. o I am responsible for all travel costs incurred to attend the Intensive and Learning Lab at USC in Los Angeles. o APAP will provide complimentary registration (excludes luncheon ticket) for the APAPNYC 2017 and APAPNYC 2018 annual conferences in New York City. o I am responsible for all travel costs, lodging and meals incurred to attend the APAPNYC 2017 and APAPNYC 2018 annual conferences in New York City. I have read and understood the LFP Guidelines. Questions? Contact Kalyn Saylor, ksaylor@artspresenters.org. APAP Fellows Program Application Preview Cohort II 2016-2018