National Leaders of Color Fellowship

The six United States Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs) are currently seeking fellows for an all-expenses-paid, 8-month fellowship to be held online from October 2022–May 2023.

This fellowship is designed as a robust strategic leadership development program for leaders of color who have promise and/or demonstrated performance aligned with equity. As such, applicants are strongly suggested to receive pay from their employers for hours spent engaging with this fellowship opportunity. The RAOs are available to provide a letter of support as a resource by request.

Fellowship key dates:

• Full Day Core Sessions: October 21–22

  • Due to the wide range of time zones, core session dates for residents of the U.S. Jurisdictions in the Pacific region will translate into the morning of October 22 and 23.

• Half Day Monthly Sessions: the third Wednesday of every month

  • SESSION #1 – Wednesday, December 14
  • Second Wednesday of December, in acknowledgement of the holiday season
  • SESSION #2 – January 18, 2023
  • SESSION #3 – February 15, 2023
  • SESSION #4 – March 15, 2023
  • SESSION #5 – April 19, 2023
  • Fellows Summit: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Requirements

Who is eligible to apply?

• Candidates will meet the following criteria:

  • Self identify as Black, Indigenous and/or a person of color;
  • Self identify as an early, emerging or mid-career leader in the field of arts and culture;
  • Is an arts administrator or a significantly arts-interested member such as a volunteer or a public official;
  • Current resident of the United States, including U.S. Jurisdictions (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands); and
  • Have not participated in or have participated in limited amounts of high-quality professional leadership development opportunities.
  • LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, disabled people, low-income and individuals residing in rural, remote or frontier areas are encouraged to apply.

Can I apply if I’m moving to one of the eligible states or jurisdictions?

• If this is the case, please contact Jade Elyssa Cariaga to discuss your situation; jadeelyssa.cariaga@westaf.org, or +1 (303) 629-1166 x854.