emerging leaders in the arts

Local Host Tool Kit

Back to Emerging Arts Leaders creative conversations program information.
Back to Emerging Arts Leaders creative conversations map and registration.

Host tool kit Contents

Local Host Tool kit Introduction Letter (pdf, 37KB) Local Host Tool kit Checklist (pdf, 33KB) Marketing Tips (pdf, 30KB) Customizable Promotional Letter (pdf, 30KB) Customizable Promotional Letter (Word, 68.5 KB) Customizable Print Flyer(Publisher, 97KB) Customizable Print Flyer (Word, 71.5 KB) Swiss Cheese Press Release (Word, 55KB) Sample Agendas (pdf, 38KB) Sample Conversation Starters (pdf, 27KB) Americans for the Arts Talking Points(pdf, 39KB) How to Spice It Up (pdf, 20KB) Suggested Topics and Resources (Word, 98.5 KB) Emerging Leader Bookstore Flyer (pdf, 179KB) Advocacy Overview(pdf, 35KB) How to Talk to Elected Officials(pdf, 38KB) Participant Evaluation (Word, 33KB) creative conversations logo SMALL creative conversations logo MEDIUM creative conversations logo LARGE

Thank you for volunteering to host an Emerging Arts Leaders creative conversation in your community. Your dedication to this project is crucial as emerging arts leaders meet this October to celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month.

This tool kit will help you organize a successful creative conversation. Review and download the Local Host Tool kit contents (see right) in preparation for your cc. The tool kit contains sample agendas, a list of suggested topics and resources, sample marketing materials, and other information to help you launch your cc—feel free to customize as needed. Just a reminder, Americans for the Arts will market creative conversations nationally and handle all registrations. We will send you weekly registration updates and e-mail a final list of registered participants prior to your cc, as well as a sign-in sheet for walk-ins. Also, Americans for the Arts will send all registered participants an e-mail reminder a few days before your cc.

As a cc host, we are confident that you will be a champion delegate for the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network. To help you, we have also enclosed quick talking points about Americans for the Arts and the Emerging Leaders Network for you to present during your cc. We will also send you the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Program brochure via snail mail prior to your meeting.

We know you can host a successful cc––no matter how much or how little time you have to coordinate it. Keep in mind that creative conversations come in all shapes and sizes. There is no set format or mandatory content. During the past few years, creative conversations have taken many forms, including:

• Brown-bag lunches with peers and colleagues to discuss local arts issues and building a career in arts administration.
• Professional development workshops on work-life balance, crisis management, audience development, fundraising, etc. 
• Panel sessions and moderated interviews with politicians, funders, and local arts leaders. 
• Full-day symposia with keynote speakers, professional development workshops, networking sessions, and more.

Beyond the tool kit, the Emerging Leader Council is offering both pre- and post-cc conference calls for confirmed local hosts to talk through questions as you prepare for your cc, and to follow-up your local conversation with a national dialogue among other local hosts. Upon receipt of your local host application, you will receive direct invitations to join these calls. We also have confirmed a list of creative conversation coaches. These individuals have hosted before, and are available via e-mail or phone to talk through ideas, tackle challenges, and support you in any way you need. Feel free to contact them with questions or support.

creative conversations coaches

• David Dombrosky—Southern Arts Federation, Atlanta, GA; 404.874.7244 x22
• Marialaura Leslie—Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami, FL
• Mitch Menchaca—Arizona Commission on the Arts, Phoenix, AZ; 602.229.8229
• Essence Newhoff—Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC; 202.675.0377

These creative conversations have been consistently successful in connecting emerging arts leaders who want to make a dynamic difference in their lives and communities, just like you! During the past two years, many groups have formalized into strong, local networks of dynamic emerging arts leaders, connected and changing their communities in a positive way. At the national level, Americans for the Arts will use the feedback and ideas from these creative conversations to assist in programmatic planning for 2007, including a leadership focus, peer-group meetings and other emerging leader activities taking place at the Americans for the Arts 2007 Annual Convention.

Thank you again for volunteering your time, energy, and creativity to plan an Emerging Arts Leaders creative conversation in your community. If you need any additional information or ideas, please e-mail Jamie Bignall, planning and project coordinator, at Americans for the Arts at jbignall@artsusa.org, or call 202.371.2830.

October is National Arts and Humanities Month.
Celebrate by convening emerging arts leaders in your community and connecting to the national network at Americans for the Arts.