Artist Leadership Fellows is a transformational program that strengthens the professional skills of the next generation of artist leaders across the region. Designed with belief in the power of artists supporting artists, the program utilizes peer-modeling and mentorship to develop the talents of artists to serve as future program facilitators.

M-AAA’s Artist Leadership Fellow program selects artists, who are nominated by community partner organizations, from a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. Over a course of eight weeks, the artists meet virtually with the facilitators to explore and develop professional aspects of their work as leaders in their communities.

Fellows leave the program with a cross-discipline, geographically broad network of peer artists, the strategic framework to manage enduring artistic careers, and the tools to serve as facilitators and mentors to others in their home communities across M-AAA’s region and beyond.

Through the program, artists deepen their knowledge, tools, and skills to strengthen their professional practices and directly apply them in supportive small group environment with the mentorship of M-AAA’s experienced peer facilitators. Topics include goal-setting, financial strategy, marketing, contracts, legal business structure, time management, and self-care.

The Spring 2024 Artist Leadership Fellows are: Laura Blumenberg, Lakisha Bradley, Paula Castillo, Lindsey Clausen, Princeton Coleman, Elexa Dawson, Connie Fiorella Fitzpatrick, Bo Hubbard, Jake Jackson, Barbara Mehlman, Sonny Mehta, JahVelle Rhone, Spade Robinson, Sabrina Staires, Eric Stearns, Y. E. Torres, Nolan Tredway, Toan Vuong, and Darryl Lorenzo Wellington.

To celebrate the completion of the eight-week program, the Spring 2024 Artist Leadership Fellows are presenting their WorkShares, five minute presentations, where the artists will highlight and discuss their practices on Monday, April 8, from 4:30-6:30 p.m CST/3:30 to 5:30 pm MST.

Registration for this event closes at 9:00 am CST/8:00 am MST on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these artist leaders about their incredible work.