Leadership
Leadership Initiatives
ArtsFund presents a variety of leadership programs to strengthen arts organizations, educate and empower nonprofit leaders and volunteers, and advance dialogue on the critical impact of arts and culture. We also play a leadership role in broader initiatives that foster the future of the arts in the Central Puget Sound region.
Board Leadership Training
Since its inception in 1999, more than 1,000 individuals have been trained in key skills needed to be an effective board member, helping arts organizations be successful financially and artistically. Board Leadership Training is taught by faculty of the region’s top nonprofit experts on essential curriculum.
In FY2023, we held 2 Board Leadership Training sessions and served a total of 64 participants. Between both cohorts, 71.8% had previously served on a board and the other 21.8% had not, showing that the Board Leadership Training program can enhance one’s previous experience on a board and function as an introduction to board service.
“Participating in your Leadership Training has been a wonderful experience. The faculty was a group of subject matter experts who knew how to engage us in enriching discussions. Getting to know the cohort was a highlight and I look forward staying in touch with many of them. Overall, I am extremely grateful I was able to join this training series. Thank you, Artsfund!”
Spring 2023 Participant
Convenings
Partnering with local, regional, and national practitioners and thought leaders, ArtsFund’s convenings foster discussion and provide tools and training opportunities in direct response to the needs identified by regional arts organizations.
In FY2023, we held 2 statewide convenings and welcomed an average of 204 virtual attendees throughout Washington State. The first convening of FY23, Engaging New Audiences: Reasearch on Arts Organizations Attendance in Washington, was held in March 2023 and reached 226 attendees; while the second convening, Grant Writing When You Don’t Have a Grants Team, took place in June 2023 and welcomed 182 virtual attendees.
Cultural Partners Network
ArtsFund’s Cultural Partners are a network of 130+ of ArtsFund-affiliated organizations of the Central Puget Sound region. The Cultural Partners Network was formed in 2015. Through trainings, events, and communications, the goal of the Cultural Partners Network is to deepen ties between organizations, provide capacity building resources, and generate exposure to new audiences and donors.
In FY2023, we hosted three Cultural Partners Network exclusive events, including three separate listening sessions, one CPN Summit: Reworking Work Culture, and an in-person networking event, resulting in a 10.5% increase in attendance between all three events.
Listening Sessions
Informal series of conversations to connect Cultural Partners directly with ArtsFund’s President & CEO and VP of Strategic Initiatives & Communications. Topics included data and advocacy, supporting cultural workers, nonfinancial resources and investments, and what ArtsFund needs to be doing today to support their organization and sector 5-10 years from now.
More about our Cultural Partners
When we asked our Cultural Partners which communities they center within their mission, vision, and values, BIPOC emerged as the majority, followed by youth & families, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. We also learned that 31% of Cultural Partners had a BIPOC-led staff and 27% had a BIPOC-led board in FY2023.
