Cultural Leadership: People and Governance

Overview

A 6-day residential program designed for both emerging and seasoned arts and culture leaders ready to strengthen their capacity to lead through complex governance and operational decisions with a people-centered approach. The program focuses on governance and people systems, offering practical tools and critical insight to support healthy, values-aligned organizations.

Program Highlights

• Board development and effective governance practices
• Aligning governance structures with values and care
• Human resources fundamentals and people-centered systems
• Navigating tensions with confidence, empathy, and clarity
• Strengthening organizational culture and accountability
• Reflective practice as a means of developing leadership methods and ways of working

Who Can Apply

The program is designed for arts and culture professionals working in organizations of any size and across any art form, including Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists, administrators, managers, directors, policymakers, creative producers, education and engagement specialists, and community-based cultural workers in urban and rural settings.

Key Dates

• Submission deadline: January 5, 2027
• Program dates: February 21–26, 2027

Fees and Funding

• Application fee: $65 CAD
• Program fee: $3,683 CAD
• Limited funding available to support up to 18 arts-sector participants with priority to those working in small Canadian non-profit arts organizations; funding amounts vary and do not cover the full program fee
• Participants must plan to contribute at least 25% of total cost
• Funding not available to applicants outside the arts sector or to international participants, who will be responsible for the full program fee

Residency Details