Drum roll, please…

Given the options, we think the concept of a set of regional events offers us the best mix of the desired outcomes, accessibility, time to deliver, and efficient use of NAS resources. It gives people the benefits of an in-person event, without the drawbacks and barriers to a large, national event. We also see it as a good foundation to help people get connected before jumping online.

The vision:

• Participants from across the country will have the opportunity to attend a one day session at no cost with other future executives from their region.
• They will work with leading faculty to develop skills that will not only benefit them in their current positions, but will help position them for future leadership roles.
• They will engage with their peers from throughout the region and across disciplines through discussions and activities, giving them a stronger bond than a simple networking event.
• We’ll use online tools to extend the regional events, helping participants continue building relationships with the people they meet and those who participate at other sites.

What do you think?  Would you want to participate?

Survey Results Part 4: What Future Leaders Want to Learn

The next wave of top executives in our field are looking to build analytical “hard skills” as well as interpersonal “soft skills.” Finance, fundraising, marketing, and technology were all named often as topics that people want to know more about. Working more effectively in groups, overall strategy, and working with boards were also mentioned more than a few times.

Survey Results Part 8: Responses to Questions Ten through Seventeen

We do not have permission from the survey respondents to share the raw data, however we hope the following summary will provide additional material for discussion. As you will see, the survey sample is small and the range of responses are therefore only suggestive of the complete picture for the next cohort of leaders in arts and culture. We reviewed the data in light of our experience working with and talking with cultural professionals over the last several years, and took note of data that matched our prior experiences, and also the data that did not. We hope you will add your thoughts to help fill in the picture and help identify critical areas for more comprehensive research.