Cultural Leadership Training

ASC’s Cultural Leadership Training (CLT) Program is designed to identify emerging leaders and help them develop into productive volunteers and board candidates for cultural organizations across our community.

Purpose

The Cultural Leadership Training (CLT) Program, an initiative of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc. (ASC), identifies, trains and provides coaching support for community leaders with a strong desire to transfer their leadership skills and business savvy to service on boards of directors of local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.

During a nine-month period, participants gain a deeper understanding of the cultural community through classroom educational sessions, cultural experiences and board observations. You’ll also learn fundamentals of good board governance and become more effective volunteer leaders, community collaborators and enthusiastic advocates.

At the end of the program, ASC facilitates participant placements with Mecklenburg County arts and cultural organizations as a full-term board member, board apprentice (typically a one-year term) or board committee member, personally working to find a good match for your interests and skills.

Applications for the 2024-2025 Cultural Leadership Training (CLT) Program are now being accepted.

Potential applicants are encouraged to preview the Cultural Leadership Training Program application before beginning the application process. The application requires participant contact information, some longer form questions about your background and expectations, and (2) letters of recommendation.

ASC will host a Virtual Info Session on Thursday, April 25 at noon for those interested in learning more about the program prior to applying. A recording will also be available on this page after the session has concluded.

Register for the Virtual Info Session.

Once you are ready to apply, click here to access the online application. You will be able to save your work and go back to it prior to final submission.

The application deadline for the 2024-2025 program is Monday, June 10.

Participants: Up to 30 civic or business leaders living and/or working in Mecklenburg County.

Eligibility: Participants must live or work in Mecklenburg County, N.C. Current or prior members of boards of directors for Charlotte-area nonprofit arts, science, and history organizations are not eligible for this program. Current staff members of nonprofit arts, science, and history organizations are not eligible for this program. ASC provides other training opportunities for existing board and staff members serving area arts, science and history organizations.

Selection Process & Criteria: Class members are chosen by the CLT Selection Committee, composed of program alumni, which seeks participants representing a wide range of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and geographies across Mecklenburg County. Selection Committee members review and score all online applications and then schedule interviews with finalists. You will be notified in early July whether or not you have been selected as a finalist. The Committee will choose up to 30 participants for the class, and all finalists will receive written notification of the Committee’s decision by mid-August.

The Selection Committee is ultimately looking for individuals who are prepared to accept leadership roles as volunteers within arts and cultural organizations. As such, criteria for admission to CLT include demonstrated leadership abilities, strong personal initiative and motivation, and the ability to work well on teams that include varying viewpoints. Candidates should also have a strong commitment to the arts and/or other cultural disciplines.

Time Commitment: The program runs from September through May and requires approximately 32 hours over nine educational sessions held at arts and cultural venues; board observations; social gatherings; and a culminating graduation event. At the end of the program, ASC places graduates on a board of directors as either an apprentice (typically a one-year term), committee member or as a full-term board member, personally working to find a good fit of interests and skills.

Admission to this program is extremely competitive and, as such, the success of the CLT program depends on the full commitment of each participant to attend all program sessions, arrive on time, and participate fully. While we recognize that emergencies do arise, more than two unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the program and forfeiture of tuition. The full list of program dates is listed below; we ask that applicants please review these dates prior to submitting an application in order to affirm that you will be able to participate fully.

2024-2025 Program Dates

Thursday, Sept. 19 – 3-7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Thursday Feb. 13 – 3-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 20 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 17 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 15 – 3-6:30 p.m.
Graduation – TBD June 2025

Program Fee:

$1,500 – Participants who work with a company/organization with annual revenues/operating budget above $1MM and/or more than 20 employees.

$1,000 – Participants who work with a company/organization with annual revenues/operating budget below $1MM and/or 20 or fewer employees, or full-time volunteers.

ASC evaluated similar programs elsewhere in the country as well as comparable leadership development programs here in Charlotte when determining our fee structure. Many employers underwrite the cost because of the obvious value to the individual, the company and the community relations that the program builds; however, partial scholarships are available and will be awarded based on need. Please see the application form for additional information on requesting a scholarship.

In the event a scholarship is not available, we are also willing to arrange payment plans with participants on a case-by-case basis. Payment plans will be billed in (4) equal increments, with the first increment due prior to the program start and the final balance due by December 31.

FAQ’s about the CLT program

Who runs the CLT program?

CLT is run by the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg (ASC) and is the only program in the region that specializes in training and placing community members on boards of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. ASC staff members plan and execute all aspects of the CLT program, with assistance from staff and board from Charlotte-area cultural organizations as well as CLT alumni.

ASC is the chief advocate, resource hub and steward for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s cultural community. Its core functions include advocacy, cultural education programs, cultural planning, fundraising, grant making, public art and workshops and trainings for the cultural community. ASC works to ensure Culture For All by combining resources from local and state government with those of the private sector to maximize community impact throughout the cultural sector.

ASC believes that arts, culture and creativity play a critical role in creating a sense of belonging to a community.

How does the CLT program work?

The curriculum includes nine educational sessions led by local nonprofit experts in partnership with cultural organizations. Sessions are held at different arts and cultural venues and usually incorporate a site tour or experiential activity and guided discussions/Q&A about key issues facing the nonprofit cultural field. Most sessions are designed to showcase a discipline (visual art, history, dance, performing arts), exploring the depth of program offerings in our community, and deliver content about key roles, responsibilities and challenges of board members. Sessions are delivered in person.

As a primary program outcome, ASC facilitates placement of each class member on a board of directors as either an apprentice (typically a one-year term), committee member or as a full-term board member, personally working to find a good fit of interests and skills. CLT alumni also receive continued mentoring and support from ASC’s CLT Program Director.

What do the training sessions cover?

The program provides thorough and rich training with a limited number of participants to promote more effective learning. Sample topics include: an overview of ASC and Charlotte’s cultural sector, risk management, legal and fiduciary obligations of the board, crash course in fundraising, understanding nonprofit financials, community engagement, board/staff relations, advocacy, and finding the right fit for your own board service.

Which organizations will accept CLT graduates on their boards?

CLT alumni have joined organizations like the Charlotte Symphony, ArtPop Street Gallery, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Clayworks, Carolina Voices, McColl Center, Festival in the Park, Charlotte Ballet, Levine Museum of the New South, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Arts+, Three Bone Theatre, Sustain Charlotte, JazzArts Charlotte, We Rock Charlotte and many others.

Why is there an attendance requirement?

Admission to this program is extremely competitive and, as such, the success of the CLT program depends on the full commitment of each participant to attend all program sessions, arrive on time and participate fully. Considering that there are only 9 sessions over 9 months, missing just 2 sessions is equivalent to missing more than 20 percent of the program. Given this requirement, if you are not able to commit to attending the scheduled sessions (i.e. you have frequent, unexpected personal “crises” that disrupt your schedule or your job includes considerable travel, etc.), it may not be in your best interest to apply. Please note the program dates listed above.

How Can My Organization Participate?

If you are a nonprofit organization located in Mecklenburg County with a primary mission of arts, STEM/science or history/heritage, please reach out to cltprogram@artsandscience.org to learn more about participation guidelines. Organizations are typically confirmed for each program cycle by August, and must provide a board service policy or job description and also agree to allow class members to observe board meetings throughout the program year. Participating organizations are also invited to the annual Board Speed Dating session held in February, which serves as the official “kick off” for the board matching process.

ASC’s 2024-2025 Cultural Leadership Training Program is made possible, in part, through the generous support of Parker Poe.

What CLT alumni have to say about their experience in the program…

My participation in the CLT Program prepared me to become an effective board member of a not for profit organization. The program also introduces you to many not for profit organizations so you can make an educated decision on where you will fit best as a board member. By going through this program, you will be sought after to participate on boards in the Charlotte area.

CLT has been such a great experience, as expected. As a relative newcomer to Charlotte, I was looking for involvement opportunities that immersed me in the community, developed my leadership skills and aligned with my personal interests. The cultural focus of this program is spot on, and I have learned so much and met some truly dynamic people along the way. I would highly recommend CLT to those interested in having a future impact on Charlotte's thriving cultural sector.

My participation in the CLT Program allowed me to truly identify where my passion lies and where I want to spend my volunteer time. Going into the program, I was sure that I knew what type of organization I wanted to join, but after being exposed to the numerous organizations across the county, I found one whose mission truly spoke to me. I ended up in a smaller organization that targeted a different audience than I’d been seeking initially. I am now very engaged in the organization and dedicated to helping achieve its mission. Thanks to the CLT Program for providing me with access to such a diverse group of organizations!

One of the best programs, I have attended! This program gave me an amazing foundation of my role as a board member and the responsibility to the non-profit whether it is a working board, a member, or an affiliate. The key highlights that I enjoyed were digging into the mission and vision of the organization, understanding the financials, realizing how I can impact the organization, and how it is more than just a position or a title. Lastly, it was a great framework, to understand the cycle of a non-profit, so you know where and how you can give an immediate lift or insight.

As a native Charlottean, I thought I had a really strong grasp of the arts and cultural offerings in Charlotte. I was wrong…dead wrong. ASC’s CLT program blew me away. Each session introduces you to a new facet of Charlotte’s vibrant cultural community through informational lectures and hands-on experiences. The CLT program invigorated my passion for the arts and community service. The program not only prepared me to serve on the board of an arts and cultural organization, it opened my eyes to see the power of art in my community.

Serving on a non-profit board has been a leadership goal of mine for years. My biggest hurdle was understanding what the needs of the Charlotte community currently are, and marrying those needs to non-profit boards who are seeking new board members. This is where the CLT leadership program through the Arts and Science Council has come into play. The program has allowed me to learn about how non-profit boards function, the financial obligations that come with serving on a non-profit board, as well as the legal obligations that are essential for all board members to understand. I feel prepared as I embark upon the journey of serving on a non-profit board later this year, and my future board membership opportunities would not have been possible without the CLT leadership program.

Although I had lived in Charlotte for many years, I never took the time to contribute to the cultural community. Participating in the CLT Program opened my eyes to the many cultural organizations in the Charlotte region and prepared me to be a board member for an organization I am very excited about. The CLT program was fun, and I met a lot of really cool people by participating in it.

The ASC’s CLT program is an invaluable asset and provides immeasurable benefits to participants, nonprofit organizations and the Greater Charlotte community. The CLT program develops and supports the next generation of civic leaders and goes a step further to provide opportunities for board service that might not otherwise be available. Through the CLT program, I was able to gain my first true board experience and subsequently have the opportunity to serve on many other boards, including boards of state and national organizations. I am so grateful for this program and recommend it to everyone.