Participant stories

Since 1995, NAS has worked with more than 2,000 arts and cultural leaders in the United States and abroad in all disciplines. These experienced leaders build on the frameworks and skills they learn in our programs, and use them to make significant improvements in their organizations and in their own leadership approaches. They tell the best story about the impact that participating in NAS executive education has had on them as leaders and on their organizations.

• David Brown, Executive Director of Spacetaker

  The Strategy seminar helped Mr. Brown realize "how important we are, and that the reason that I got out of bed in the morning was to help artists... and the Strategy seminar was handing us the tools to take that intrinsic value and turn it into a solid business." Read more »
  
  

• Laura Penn*, Managing Director of INTIMAN Theatre

  Ms. Penn found the "gems" in the Leading Innovation seminar changed her organization's approach to new ideas, new opportunities, and successful growth from project planning to a new hiring process. Read more »
  
  

• Stephanie Small*, Executive Director of Free Arts of Arizona

  Participating in National Arts Strategies (NAS) programs since 2002 "has completely changed the way we do everything," says Ms. Small. Read more »
  
  

• Jeffrey Horowitz, Founder/Artistic Director of Theatre for a New Audience

  "Thinking about competitive advantage makes me operate more rigorously," Mr. Horowitz stated.Taking a page from other industries, Strategy participants learn to use their resources to support the competitive advantage while focusing on core values and purpose. Read more »
  
  

• Jim Ballinger, Director, Phoenix Art Museum

  "I draw on the experience I gained from the seminars more than I think I do. It's become part of how I lead this organization," said Mr. Ballinger. Read more »
  

Testimonials

The arts and cultural leaders that we work with are the best at describing the impact and value of our seminars and programs. See what they have to say about:

• The value of a team-based professional development experience »

  "Attending with a team multiplies the benefits to the nth degree. It expands your vocabulary as an organization and allows you to continue the conversation once you're back in the office..." Read more »

• The use of interactive teaching and activities to give participants an experience »

  "The seminars force you to start thinking. You get back to the office with lots of new ideas." Read more »

• The quality of NAS faculty »

  "The enthusiasm and expertise of [the faculty] pushed us to question our reason for being, allowing us to see with fresh eyes the real core of what we do." Read more »

• How the NAS experience is different than your typical professional development experience »

  "I think differently about things now. I have a better toolbox to evaluate what we do and to plan. I am a better executive director and a better thinker now." Read more »

*No longer with the organization