Rising Leaders is a rigorous and highly interactive personal development initiative committed to the advancement of Michigan's arts leaders, a program designed and facilitated by MCACA and Partners in Performance, the nation's preeminent designer and facilitator of leadership development initiatives for the arts and culture sector.
Over a six-month period, fifteen participants participate in a series of activities that includes three intensives focusing on self-awareness and self-management; mutual influence; and gaining tools to create communities and a state where everyone can experience and express creativity in their daily lives. Participants commit to three in-person meetings as well as individual reflection work. Participants were chosen through an application process to MCACA.
Program participants from across the state of Michigan gain tools and perspective needed to strengthen their leadership skills and develop relationships with an extraordinary cohort of peers dedicated to advancing the arts and culture field.
Applications to apply for the 2019-2020 cohort of Rising Leaders (running October 2019 - April 2020) are now being accepted. Download the application below. Deadline to apply is July 26, 2019.
DOWNLOAD THE 2019-20 RISING LEADERS APPLICATION HERE
Contact MCACA Arts Education Program Manager Chad Swan-Badgero at 517-241-6747 or BadgeroC@michigan.org.
One of the most impactful trainings I've ever attended; I feel like I've created lifelong, professional bonds with a cohort of people that I would never have found otherwise.
I went in skeptical, thinking this would be some kind of feel-good cheerleader-type seminar. I left with greater self-awareness and knowledge of my capacity to lead.
I found Rising Leaders to be a transformative experience for me, both professionally and personally. We were given a lot of tools that I have already applied at my organization in how I lead.
Other leadership trainings I have participated in seem to rely on who has overcome the most adversity to get to where they are today. Instead, Rising Leaders did not compare one person against the other—it was about a personal journey.
I came in to the program with a small chip on my shoulder, based on past experiences with people who had abused their leadership position. This program helped me learn healthier ways to "bring people together to move things forward". I'm realizing my own capacity for leadership and how it can look different from others.
I was skeptical that the program would be successful in addressing my specific concerns and questions because they are so unique to myself and my organization. But the program was highly successful in providing mechanisms for me to solve the problems for myself and my organization that I needed to take time to solve.
The retreat-like atmosphere and design of the program allowed for full focus and meaningful growth. It was unlike any other professional development experience. I couldn’t wait for more!
To engage with leaders in the arts community as a whole instead of just in my field was eye-opening and extremely helpful to my growth as an arts leader.
I have become a better listener both in my personal and professional lives. I'm asking better questions about challenges faced and how to make things work better. Mostly, I feel hopeful that no matter my position, I have the ability to affect change.
I feel like I have made lifelong friends as well as colleagues.
I had pretty bad impostor syndrome going into the program, thinking I didn't have anything to add to the conversation. Rising Leaders has provided me with tools to boost my confidence and believe in myself and my work.
The fact that the program exists is wonderful. Uniting arts leaders from around the state, making us aware of each other's communities, and teaching us shared skills, will only help to further Michigan as a place for the arts.
I can't express enough the thrill I got knowing I’d be going back to this group after experiencing the first weekend. I knew the content would be relative and the connections made would be lasting. If anything it has proven that I am doing the right thing in my career and helping to structure it and make it better.
