Leadership Transformation

The Leadership Transformation Cohort is a self-reflective, transformative cohort experience through which both seasoned and emerging leaders advance their leadership skills by engaging with top leadership trainers, nationally renowned practitioners, and a diverse cohort of peers. This 6 month long cohort program includes a five-day in-person retreat, peer-mentoring, and follow-up coaching. 

• March - April 2025: Applications open March 11 and close on April 15 3:00 PM EST to be reviewed

• Mid April: Applications reviewed by Guild staff, CAELII alumni, and faculty

• Late April: Applicants informed of acceptance, waitlist, or decline

• June 2024: Prep work will be given to ground the cohort before the in-person retreat

• July 14 - 18, 2025: Five-day in-person cohort retreat at Green Mountain Retreat Center (Los Gatos, CA) 

• August - November 2025: Three 1:1 executive coaching sessions and 2 group sessions to support your leadership development plan. These sessions are scheduled flexibly between August and November to complete your development plan.

OBJECTIVES/INTENDED OUTCOME

The CAELII Leadership Transformation Cohort will increase your leadership effectiveness by helping you:

• Increase awareness of the characteristics of strong self-reflective practice 
• Identify your core values and learn how these influence behavior and decision making
• Deepen your understanding of intersectionality and how personal biases influence leadership practice 
• Build mindfulness and embodiment practices, and an understanding of collective care
• Create a healthy boundaries document for relationship building, and practices to embrace conflict
• Commit to your developmental goals, and with your coach, initiate a plan of action

Upon completion, cohort members join the Alumni Network to:

• Continue to develop as leaders of their organizations, their communities, and the field of arts education
• Build a network of leaders who can share tools and provide support for one another; and
• Strengthen the Guild’s connections with the people and organizations it serves, expanding its ability to address critical issues.

General Questions

For general inquiries about the application process or scholarships/financial aid, please contact Rhiannon Martin at caelii@nationalguild.org

Eligibility Criteria & Selection Process

Successful applicants are:

• Working in the community arts education field. Applicants may be at any point in their career as a teaching artists, administrator, funder, etc. Applicants also may be professionals from allied sectors (e.g., youth development, K-12 schools, mental health) that are working in community arts education.
• Committed to their professional growth by participating in all of the Institute activities and the Institute evaluation process.
• Have the support of their organization to participate (if applying as a representative of an organization).
• Ready to engage in a self-reflective journey of one’s beliefs, values, and behaviors to positively impact their leadership.

Application Questions:

Please review and consider the following application questions. Applicants will be able to share responses in one of the following formats (written, audio file, video, phone call with Guild staff*):

1. Why is participating in the Institute important for you at this stage in your life and career?
2. What is an instance when someone has given you feedback or other guidance that you've found helpful. How did this influence the way you think about your role and how you work with others?
3. In this peer learning space, what do you hope to share with others?
4. What are your dreams for how you might impact the future of community arts education?

Candidates will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership potential: The applicant must demonstrate their leadership qualities and potential as indicated by their short answer, written or video narrative.
• Demonstrated commitment to a career in community arts education: Successful applicants will demonstrate their commitment to community arts education (e.g., education, work, and volunteer experience) and goals for making a deeper contribution in the future.
• Potential to be an active and engaged participant: A successful applicant must demonstrate a willingness to work with, learn from, and share with a diverse cohort of participants.

Special efforts will be made to recruit a diverse cohort in terms of geography, ethnicity, gender, ability, and professional background.

Cost

Thanks to generous support from philanthropic partners, the full cost of the Institute has been considerably subsidized, which allows a tiered pricing structure.

Financial aid and scholarships are also available. To apply, complete the Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities section of the CAELII program application form.

Registration fees cover:

• Training materials
• Retreat tuition
• Retreat housing and meals at the 5-day seminar at Green Mountain Retreat Center. 
• Executive coaching sessions post-retreat

CANCELLATION POLICY

Our cancellation policy is as follows: 

• 90% refund between May 20 - June 7, 2024

• 50% refund between June 8 - June 23, 2024

• After June 24 no refunds, but fund will go towards unfulfilled financial aid request