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Our new Advocacy Toolkit is your essential guide to navigating the government landscape!
This toolkit will equip you to:
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Translate your impact into compelling evidence that resonates with decision-makers.
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Build authentic, lasting relationships with key officials and legislative offices.
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Move from stories to strategy, securing the support and policies your community deserves.
We invite you to take a step into strengthening the voice of community arts education, as well as each of our vibrant communities.
Access the toolkit and begin your journey.
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Recorded on September 11, 2025
Join the facilitators for our Community Arts Education Leadership and Intercultural Institute (CAELII): Community Advocacy Virtual Pilot, a partnership with The 100K Project and Cleveland Arts Education Consortium, meant to prepare a new generation of community-rooted leaders to lead honest dialogue, facilitate collective decision-making, and step into political roles.
To learn more and apply: https://nationalguild.org/events/2026-caelii-organizational-liberation-application
Facilitators: Dr. Quanice Floyd, Executive Director, National Guild for Community Arts Education Tom Tresser, Arts Advocate, CAELII Advocacy Facilitator
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Our informational session on the 2026 cohort of the Community Arts Education Leadership and Intercultural Institute (CAELII): Organizational Liberation digs deep into this leadership experience, which includes virtual sessions and in-person workshops in New Orleans from Tuesday, January 26, 2026, to Friday, January 30, 2026. This cohort is designed to examine one’s organization and develop human-centered HR policies and practices, with the support of nationally renowned facilitator Calida Jones from Creative Evolutions.
In this session, learn more about the cohort's focus, schedule, and curriculum.
To learn more about this cohort, click here.
Facilitators:
Calida Jones, Consultant, Creative Evolutions
Lissette Martinez, Director of Programs and Communications, National Guild for Community Arts Education
Recorded: Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 3:00-4:00 PM ET
General questions? Contact programs@nationalguild.org
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Public funding for the arts is often unstable, inequitable, or non-existent. This 90-minute workshop demystifies the process of creating a dedicated tax for arts and culture, and supports participants in beginning to design a campaign that meets their community’s needs and political context.
Download our Arts & Culture Tax Toolkit
Facilitators:
- Manuel Cawaling, Executive Director, Inspire Washington
- Kyna Iman, Government Affairs Consultant, Missouri Citizens for the Arts
- Gully Stanford, Activist and Advocate for the Arts
Recorded on July 10, 2025.
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Check out these webinars and resources from our Member Benefit Partners, which were featured throughout April 2025. Whether you're an organization looking for crisis management tools, an all-inclusive registration platform, or an individual seeking employee benefits, we've got you covered!
Watch:
- Our Membership Deep Dive Webinar (Watch)
- Art Center Canvas , “Increasing Enrollment and Donations with a Data-driven Marketing Campaign”
- Join Art Center Canvas to learn marketing insights from the field and how their platform can help your arts organization streamline data to increase engagement across your programming & fundraising efforts. (Watch)
- Art Center Canvas Part 2: Orientation (Watch)
- Joseph Arnold and Soulforce Arts Institute, “Essential Self-Care Practices to Feel Calm & Collected Under Pressure”
- In this workshop, you will learn a powerful self-care practice from the Alexander Technique called "The Magic Pause." You will walk away from this workshop with a direct, embodied experience of the Magic Pause and will know exactly how to apply it to your most challenging work-related situations. This workshop offers a preview of the expanded offerings Joseph has available at a discounted rate for Guild Members. (Watch)
- Rob Fields and Mighty Mighty, “Crisis Planning for Organizations and Artists”
- After getting tips on a grounding practice to manage nerves, stress, and anxiety from Joseph, join Founder Rob Fields to get a sneak preview of his crisis management workshops, available to Guild Members at an exclusive discounted rate, to get tangible tools your organization or individual creative practice can use to weather any financial, social, or organizational storm. (Watch)
- ESI Employee Assistance Group “TotalCare EAP Benefit Orientation (for individual memberships only)”
- Join ESI Employee Assistance Group to learn about the National Guild's Employee Assistance Program available for the first 70 individual member sign-ups! An EAP supports your holistic health by providing mental health services, counseling, legal consultations, personal assistance, and personal professional development. (Watch)
- 1:1 Advisory, “Grantmaker on Call: Pro Tips from a Former Funder”
- Join Kerry McCarthy, founder of 1:1 Advisory, who provides research, planning, and grantmaking services for philanthropies and nonprofits. Get a sneak peek of her tips for grantmaking and fundraising that Guild Members can access in full at an exclusive discounted Guild Member rate! (Watch)
- Valerie Agency
- Valerie Agency merges strategy, culture, and creativity to help brands connect deeper and stand out. In this exclusive preview, you'll get an inside look at their unique approach. Learn how they’ll equip Guild members with the tools, insights, and bold thinking to transform their storytelling and marketing. (Watch)
- Ashley C. Whiteside, LMSW
- In this session with Ashley C. Whiteside, LMSW, you’ll be led through an example of Ashley's services for members, including Creative Wellness Coaching, Interactive Workshops, Mental Health Workbooks. You'll walk away with actionable resources to fuel both your work and wellness. (Watch)
- Dr. Nicole Avant (Avant Consulting Group)
- Meet Avant Consulting Group led by Dr. Nicole Avant as she explores how their unique blend of institutional strategy and personal healing creates lasting change for both individuals and organizations. (Watch)
- Natalia Celine Arias
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The Community Arts Education Leadership Intercultural Institute (CAELII) returns with its Leadership Transformation 2025 cohort!
In this info session, Guild staff unveiled the vision, objectives, and application process for the 2025 cohort, along with insights into its core faculty and serene venue. CAELII alum Dr. Sister IAsia Thomas shared her powerful journey and the impact this program had on her leadership.
Join us to discover how this transformative retreat will reignite your passion, deepen your vision, and equip you with the tools to lead with renewed purpose in community arts education.
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Operational efficiency is key to nonprofit sustainability, but getting there is an ongoing process. This session explores how ASAP helps organizations streamline processes, optimize resources, and build capacity to grow.
By investing in scalable systems, nonprofits can tackle immediate challenges while laying the groundwork for long-term success.
Facilitators:
Erika Atkins, Executive Director, Bloomingdale School of Music, New York, NY
Susanna Kemp, Director, Client Success, ASAP, Washington, DC Sponsored by ASAP, a Vanco Company
If you'd like more information on how ASAP can help you, you can contact Susanna Kemp, susanna.kemp@vanco.com.
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For this Advocacy Basics webinar, we're excited to guide you through the ins and outs of effective advocacy at all levels of government. Discover the keys to leading impactful legislative meetings, focusing on vital topics in arts education and policy that directly impact community arts educators. This is not just an event – it's a journey. This is the first of three meetings that will equip you with a comprehensive skill set, from broad insights to the nitty-gritty details, transforming you into a confident and effective champion for community arts education. Let's make a difference together! 🎨✨
Speakers:
- Josiah Bruny, Founder and CEO, Music Changing Lives
- Marcela “Xela” Garcia, Executive Director, Walker's Point Center for the Arts
- Jamie Kasper, Director, Arts Education Partnership
- Moderator: Tera Proby, Director of Advocacy, National Guild for Community Arts Education
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Join us for an enriching dialogue in our webinar series, crafted to empower leaders and advocates in community arts education! Get ready for a vibrant discussion on arts education policy that shapes the landscape for community arts educators.
Here's a glimpse of the engaging topics we'll cover (and more!):
- Dive into Existing and Upcoming Federal Legislation: Listen to insights from Congressional staffers, unraveling the current federal policies influencing community arts education. Explore upcoming bills and discover ways to contribute your support.
- Navigate State and Local-level Policy: Embark on a journey through state and local legislation, gaining insights into how it impacts community arts educators.
- Connect with Community Arts Ed Practitioners: Tune in to firsthand experiences from professionals actively involved in advocacy efforts. Understand how existing policies shape their work and learn how you can make a positive impact.
Come be a part of this liberatory conversation, where your voice and insights matter!
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In this grand finale to our webinar program, we will discuss ways to effectively advocate on the Hill. The webinar is also an opportunity to discover how you can implement effective arts education leadership in your community outside of the Guild's conference.
Specific topics covered in this webinar include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Rules of Engagement: how to schedule meetings with a Congressional office, what to bring during the meeting and appropriate follow up.
- Legislation of Interest: webinar participants will learn about the exact legislation we will discuss with Congressional Members and their offices.
- Bringing it all together: Participants will gain insight on ways to continue engaging with their elected officials (federal, state and local) throughout the year, past the Advocacy Day.
Speakers include:
- Leon Kuehner, Executive Director, Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
- Rachel McGrain, Executive Director, Arts Education in Maryland Schools
- Kara Armstrong, Midwest Trust Center Arts Education Program Director, Johnson County Community College.
