ACTIVATE is a FREE advocacy training and leadership development program. Through various program experiences, ACTIVATE recognizes the importance of local leaders and seeks to empower these individuals with the skills, knowledge, and an expanded network to effect change in their communities, the greater Los Angeles arts and culture sector, and most importantly, themselves.
ACTIVATE Emerging Arts Leaders
In 2021, Arts for LA collaborated with Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles to bring a new leadership development program to the ACTIVATE suite of offerings. ACTIVATE Emerging Arts Leaders (EAL) brings together both organizations’ shared goal to prepare, educate, and inspire the next generation of arts leaders across the region, expand the field’s definition of arts advocacy and ensure it is considered an essential skill for any arts leader. The mission of EAL is to provide hands-on community organizing experience for the next generation of leaders.
ACTIVATE EAL is a 9-month, stipend program where participants will:
- Gain leadership opportunities to organize the wider Arts for LA field through programs and events;
- Analyze the current needs of the Arts for LA’s community and support/align with the organizational goals through these programs;
- Learn how to work with an organizational budget;
- Expand not only their own network but also Arts for LA’s network through new partnerships, participant engagement and outreach to guest speakers; and
- Participate in the development of our annual State of the Arts Summit.
Learn even more about Emerging Arts Leaders below and click here to apply! Questions? Email activate@artsforla.org for support.
ACTIVATE Delegates
ACTIVATE Delegates functions as an advocacy lab for artists, creative sector workers, or anyone interested in the intersection of advocacy and the arts. New to 2025, we have expanded our program to EIGHT sessions to better equip participants with the following during this four-month program:
- Hands-on learning opportunities.
- Networking with field leaders.
- Meeting with local elected officials and staffers to advocate for the art.
- Mobilizing community members to support key legislation.
The course also will briefly touch on the fundamentals of cultural policy and civic procedures with the aim of empowering arts leaders to drive change across Arts for LA’s four policy areas: affordable spaces for artists, creative career pathways, equitable arts education, and equitable arts funding.
Learn even more about Delegates below and click here to apply! Questions? Email activate@artsforla.org for support.