WESTAF's Emerging Leaders of Color Professional Development Program

In 2010, WESTAF established its 

● Building a cohort of cultural leaders of color in the western United States who are committed to the advancement of the arts.

● Engaging diverse emerging leaders in coursework and activities designed to strengthen competencies and prepare participants for leadership positions in the field.

● Providing opportunities for promising arts professionals to establish networks that support their careers and the cultural interests of the communities they represent and serve.

● Deepening participants' understanding of the arts in the United States and how public support sustains the vibrancy of the sector.

● Professionals who are generally under the age of 35.

● 10 years or less of experience working in the arts.

● Current resident of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wyoming.

● Self identify as people of color.

● Arts administrator or significantly arts interested community person such as a volunteer, public official and/or artist with a strong interest in issues of arts policy and administration. (Not designed to serve individual artists.)

● Individuals who may not have previously had an opportunity to participate in high quality professional development sessions.

● Have not traversed from one fellowship to the next.

● Individuals of significant promise.

With the advice of members of WESTAF's Multicultural Advisory Committee and program alumni, WESTAF will select 14 total participants: one participant from each state in the western region, except California, where two participants will be selected due to population.