Tools & Resources

For Emerging Arts Professionals

If you are an Emerging Leader or established arts administrator, the collection of resources below will connect you with new ideas, research, and information relevant to leadership and the arts in your community.

2009 Emerging Leaders Survey Results

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Emerging Leaders Network, Americans for the Arts and the Emerging Leaders Council surveyed the field of emerging arts leaders to determine current professional development needs and trends. The survey was distributed between October 2009–January 2010 and completed by 554 individuals.

Executive Summary [PDF,144KB]  |  Full Report and Analysis [PDF, 688 KB]

Raw Survey Data
Part 1 [PDF, 592KB] | Part 2 [PDF, 707KB]  

Webinars

Committed to expanding your professional skills and knowledge, but can't always travel to meetings and presentations? Americans for the Arts is pleased to be able to provide high quality online professional development at no cost to our professional members.

Check out pre-recorded On-Demand Webinars in our Leadership Development Series and Starting and Sustaining an Emerging Leaders Network.

You must be a member to receive free access to all webinars and many other exclusive benefits. If you are not a member, each webinar is $35.

Starting an Emerging Leaders Network

In addition to our national Emerging Leaders Network, we encourage you to get involved in your local community with a local Emerging Leaders Network. The most challenging aspect of launching or maintaining an Emerging Leaders Network in your community or on your university's campus can be deciding what model works best for your community. Do you need a staff person to oversee the organization or will a group of volunteers work? Do you need a fiscal sponsor? How large of an area will you serve?

In response to this, Americans for the Arts and the Emerging Leaders Council has developed a guide for starting and sustaining your network, produced a webinar, and will be periodically releasing Network Overviews in order to provide Emerging Leaders with access to the models that work. 

Start an Emerging Leaders Network  

Find an Emerging Leaders Network Near You by Searching the Arts Services Directory

For more information, send us an e-mail at [email protected].

Emerging Leaders Mentoring Resources Toolkit

This tool kit offers an overview of mentoring; sample documents; and a summary of resources and publications about mentorship, generational change, and nonprofit leadership.

Notable News and Blogs

Below is a list of blogs that we think emerging arts leaders should be aware of. If you know of blogs or publications that we do not include in our list below, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Arts Management Programs

Considering getting an advanced degree in arts administration or management? 

If so, the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) is the best resource for you. The directory offered on its website is not an endorsement of any particular program. Rather, it is a jumping off place for you to begin your search for the right program for you. 

Find a program through the AAAE Website.

Americans for the Arts Store

This is your one-stop shop for all the books you need to get ahead and lead your organizations and communities. Don't forget to also check out the Store for handmade decor, jewelry, and accessories. 

Are you looking for a book to read with your Emerging Leaders Network and colleagues?  Here are some of our recommendations!