Arts Ed Leadership Academy
Arts Ed Collaborative’s flagship cohort-based program exploring culturally responsive practices, leadership, and action planning.
Take the next step in your leadership journey
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Arts Ed Collaborative’s flagship program.
Leadership Academy participants delve into culturally responsive practices and leadership skills, then apply their learning to create individual action plans.
This 10-month program kicks off with a four-day summer intensive at Carnegie Museum of Art and Attack Theatre with follow-up sessions throughout the school year. Additional locations include Sankofa Village and Center of Life. Sessions are co-facilitated by AEC’s Anqwenique Kinsel and Yael Silk and feature a variety of guest experts, including Celeta Hickman, Miracle Jones, Alecia Dawn, Allyce Pinchback-Johnson, Shabaka Perkins, Michelle King, and more.
Program Dates
Summer Intensive:
July 17 – 20, 2023, 9am – 4pm at Carnegie Museum of Art and Attack Theatre
School Year Sessions:
- August 16, 4 – 6pm | in-person session with alumni
- September 21, 4 – 6pm | Zoom session
- October 9 | ACTIVATE Arts Learning Conference
- November 16, 8am – 4pm | in-person session
- January 24, 8am – 4pm | in-person
- February 21, 4 – 6pm | Zoom session
- March 20, 4 – 6pm | Zoom session
- April 19, 8am – 4pm | in-person graduation
Program Benefits
Build a professional support system through connections made with participants and facilitators
Create welcoming and powerful learning spaces that celebrate diverse identities and cultures
Advance professionally by leveraging new learning and planning skills
Earn up to 90 Act 48 credits
Program Fee
Full-price registration is $850. Thanks to generous support from The Grable Foundation and The Heinz Endowments, we offer discounted registration on a sliding scale based on school districts’ percentage of students from low-income households and organization budget size. Independent educators who are paying for their own registration are invited to pay the lowest fee.
- $850 – organizations with budgets at and above $1 million and school districts with less than 20% of students from low-income households
- $700 – organizations with budgets from $750,000 – $999,999 and school districts with 20-39% of students from low-income households
- $575 – organizations with budgets from $500,000 – $749,999 and school districts with 40-59% of students from low-income households
- $500 – organizations with budgets less than $500,000 and school districts with greater than 60% of students from low-income households, or independent educators
Limited scholarships are available by request.
Highlights from 2022
Our 2022 cohort benefited from a return to COVID-safe in-person learning. We enjoyed summer intensive sessions at Ohringer Arts and YMCA’s Lighthouse Project in addition to attending the ACTIVATE Arts Learning Conference at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and sessions at Carnegie Museum of Art and Sankofa Village. We’re proud to host educators from diverse backgrounds, identities, creative disciplines, and experiences. This dynamic group remained dedicated year-round to the program, bringing their full selves, sharing openly, and learning together. We’re excited to celebrate all they achieved this year and everything we know they will go on to accomplish!
Current Participants
Vania Arthur, independent educator
Erin Bergen, Woodland Hills School District
Valerie Bundy, Pittsburgh Glass Center
Adrienne Day, Trinity Area School District
Bethany Graham, Trinity Area School District
Jasmine Green, 1Hood Media
Mora Harris, Point Park University
TJ Johnson Jr., Community Forge
Kiyomi Knox, independent educator
Jacob Pesci, Propel Schools
Diana Purdom, Balafon West African Dance Ensemble
