Rootwork Rising: Essential Skills for Community Arts Education Leaders

Rootwork Rising is about growing a community of leaders who are deeply rooted in their communities, committed to justice, and prepared to lead with purpose and intention. Whether you’re an emerging leader or someone who’s been in the field for years, this program will offer you the tools, strategies, and peer support needed to lead in ways that are truly transformative.

In inspiration with the 2020 Rootwork Learning Cohort and in alignment with "The Essential Domains: Rooted in Our Communities, Growing Our Leadership", we’re thrilled to introduce Rootwork Rising: Essential Skills for Community Arts Education Leaders. This program is designed to take the Essential Domains from theory to practice, offering a hands-on learning experience that will help leaders apply these principles in their work.

Roowork Rising is a 7-week program from January 16 to February 27, 2025. Each domain will include 2 sessions held via synchronous, live instruction on Zoom every Thursday from 1pm - 4pm EST/10am-1pm PST. Live classes will include engaging activities and reflective prompts. Each domain will have asynchronous work to complete.

 

Jump to: 

Faciliators

Price

Essentials Domain

Rootwork Rising Program Highlights:

  • Week 1 January 16, 2025: ​Visionary Leadership in Community Arts
  • Week 2 January 23, 2025 Collaborative Program Design for Community Impact

  • Week 3 January 30, 2025: Equity, Liberation, and Justice in Arts Education

  • Week 4 February 6, 2025: Program Evaluation and Measuring Impact

  • Week 5 February 13, 2025: Building Sustainable Arts Organizations

  • Week 6 February 20, 2025: Advocacy and Policy in Community Arts

  • Final Session February 27, 2025: Reflective Closing and Networking

Facilitators: 

We are excited to announce that our board family and executive director, Quanice Floyd, will be leading Rootwork Rising this year. As leaders in the field of community arts education, their guidance and vision will inspire and empower participants. To read their full bios, visit our board and staff pages.

 

 

 

Facilitator

Aurora Toshiko King, Executive Director, Free Spirit Media; Chicago, IL 

 

 

 

Facilitator

Ivonne Chand O'Neal, PhD​, Chief Research Officer, MUSE Research; Washington, DC 

 

 

 

 

Facilitator

Karen LaShelle, Executive Director, Austin Together; Austin, TX

 

 

 

Facilitator

Nancy Ng, Executive Director of Creativity & Policy, Luna Dance & Creativity; Berkeley, CA

 

 

 

Curriculum Developer and Coach

Quanice Floyd, Executive Director, National Guild for Community Arts Education

 

 

 

Facilitator

Dr. Roque Diaz, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MacPhail Center for Music; Minneapolis, MN  

Price:

Member Cost

Non Member Cost

One Domain $199

One Domain $249

Two Domains $379

Two Domains $449

Three Domains $549

Three Domains $649

All Six Domains $999

All Six Domains $1199

*All Domain prices include the final reflective and networking session.

*All registrants who successfully complete all Six Domains will receive a digital certificate of completion at the end of the course.

*There are limited reduced fee options for individuals/independent artists (not supported by an organization or institution) by request. To submit a reduced fee request, please email programs@nationalguild.org by November 12, 2024.

For more information on becoming a member of the National Guild, click here

 

The Essential Domains: Rooted in Our Communities, Growing Our Leadership

1. Leadership and Vision
Leadership is not just about managing people or projects; it’s about inspiring others to envision and work toward a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. This domain focuses on helping leaders craft a vision that’s not only strategic but grounded in the values of equity, justice, and liberation. As liberatory leaders, we aim to dismantle oppressive systems and create space for individual and collective agency within the community arts field. Leadership is about guiding, inspiring, and empowering—not through top-down authority, but through shared power and collective action.

Community arts education leaders recognize that leadership is for everyone. They cultivate a vision where every voice and perspective are valued, empowering communities to come together and create positive change. They lead with purpose, keeping their communities at the center of their work while inspiring their teams to do the same.

2. Collaborative Program Design
Community arts education is a participatory and transformative practice that connects individuals through creative expression within a larger social context. Designing programs that resonate with and engage communities requires a collaborative approach. This domain focuses on the importance of co-creation—bringing together artists, educators, community members, and stakeholders to develop arts initiatives that are impactful, culturally relevant, and deeply rooted in the community.

Community arts education leaders understand that collaboration is key to creating meaningful programs. They engage with their communities, foster partnerships, and design initiatives that reflect the collective wisdom and diverse needs of the people they serve. By embracing co-creation, they ensure that their programs are not just relevant but transformative.

3. Equity, Liberation, and Justice
Equity and liberation are at the core of our work. Community arts education is a tool for social transformation, and this domain challenges leaders to confront systemic inequities while promoting fairness and justice. We define liberation as creating relationships, societies, and organizations characterized by equity, fairness, and benefits that support full participation. We aim to build environments where every human is empowered to realize their full potential and humanness.

Community arts education leaders are dedicated to fostering equity and justice in every aspect of their work. They actively center the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, challenging inequitable structures and cultivating environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By leading with a liberatory approach, they work to dismantle oppressive systems and create spaces of empowerment and inclusion.

4. Impact and Program Evaluation
To create lasting change, we must measure the success of our programs—not just in numbers, but in the real, tangible impact they have on individuals and communities. This domain equips leaders with the tools to evaluate programs in ways that capture both personal growth and community transformation.

Community arts education leaders are committed to continuous learning and improvement. They use program evaluation to understand how their work affects the communities they serve, ensuring that their programs meet community needs and drive social change. By measuring both individual and collective impact, they ensure their programs are meaningful and effective.

5. Organizational Sustainability
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of community arts education organizations requires thoughtful planning, resource development, and deep community connections. This domain provides leaders with strategies for building resilient organizations that can sustain their mission while remaining embedded within the communities they serve.

Community arts education leaders understand that sustainability is about staying rooted in the community. They build organizations that thrive by developing resources, fostering local partnerships, and ensuring that their work is aligned with community needs. Leaders cultivate relationships that keep their organizations relevant and impactful, reinforcing the idea that a sustainable organization is one that is responsive, adaptive, and engaged with its community.

6. Local Movement Building, Community Strengthening, and Advocacy
While large-scale movements often grab headlines, we know that lasting change often begins at the hyper-local level. This domain focuses on grassroots organizing, movement-building, and advocacy within community arts education. Leaders are taught to strengthen the fabric of their communities from the ground up by fostering connections and advocating for the arts.

Community arts education leaders are movement builders and advocates. They mobilize local residents, artists, educators, and organizations to create change from within. They also understand the importance of advocating for public policies and funding that support their work, ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of community life. By building strong, interconnected ecosystems and championing their cause, they empower their communities to drive sustainable, grassroots change through the arts.