The approaching retirement of long-standing executives from across all nonprofit sectors presents a momentous challenge for the cultural field. Future Leadership is aimed at cultivating a fresh wave of leaders and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to excel in the top management positions they will be assuming in the next five to seven years. With proper planning and preparation, these individuals can empower and propel the arts and culture community by transforming the looming change into a promising opportunity.
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About Future Leadership
Future Leadership is an innovative approach to professional development
that will allow participants to build their own program from the bottom
up. Rather than telling future executives what they need, Future Leadership
will address the issues defined by the community.
The first step of the program involves just that—discussing and
identifying the challenges and priorities of executive leadership. We’ve
created an ongoing, community-wide
discussion for everyone to communicate and define their collective
needs.
The next step of the program will be to take that information and collaboratively
design a series of educational seminars and services that NAS will implement
and deliver as part of Future Leadership in its final form.
Click here for the program timeline »
Who Should Take Part?
Three key groups will play a role in preparing top executives for arts
and cultural organizations:
- Prospective leaders about to embark on a new chapter in their career;
- Current executives who want to see their success and hard work continued;
- The boards, funders and search firms who select and rely on good leadership.
All of these key players have a voice in the discussion. Their combined expertise and experience creates a three-dimensional picture of what cultural executives will need.
Why Take Part?
Smart investment in future leadership will not only ensure that there
are professionals ready to take on a higher level of responsibility,
it will also help arts and culture organizations throughout the field
endure, evolve, and move forward.
Future Leadership will also help each of us succeed in our own work and our visions:
- Gain the knowledge you need to win an executive position and succeed once you’re there.
- Move your vision forward by building the expertise, loyalty and motivation of your most talented staff.
- Provide long-term stewardship of your organization by ensuring
a deep pool of prospects and a faster transition for your next executive
director search.
How to Take Part
Join the Future Leadership Community Discussion. It is open to the entire
nonprofit arts and culture field. We have created four separate areas
to help you organize discussions based on your role and experience.
You may read or take part in any of the discussions. To add your voice,
create your account online.
Remember, your involvement will shape the design of future professional development offerings. The Future Leadership community discussion is a living, growing thing. Like all living things, how it grows will depend on how it is sustained and supported. It is your community to build. Take part, make it your own, and encourage your peers to join.
