Arts Leaders Alone / Together is a way for arts leaders to help other arts leaders in this time of uncertainty.
In the midst of the response to COVID-19, arts organizations in the United States and beyond are looking at an extended period of uncertainty and physical distance from our artists and our audiences. As leaders of these organizations, this time can make us feel all alone fighting against forces we cannot control.
Yet in this time of remote work and massive revisions of planning, we have an opportunity to rise up together and build solidarity between arts leaders as we struggle to understand what this means for our organizations and our work as leaders. We can and we should help one another.
For those seeking help
At this moment, there may be some large questions for you, your organization, and the field. Whether you’re a CEO or an Administrative Assistant, talking through things with an experienced arts leader can offer a useful and informed perspective on the challenges you’re facing. In this time of social isolation, we should look to our peers and find support and solidarity with each other.
Arts Leaders Alone / Together offers free one-on-one conversations with other arts leaders. Arts leaders who are seeking help can sign up for a free confidential one-on-one conversation with another arts leaders who have volunteered to help. The help-seeker will bring in a topic or question that you would like to discuss.
We know that we cannot solve major problems in a single 45-minute conversation. However, the goal of these conversations is for the help-seeker to have an experienced arts leader serve as a thought partner, a strategy/tactics advisor, a sounding board, or a sympathetic ear for you and hopefully facilitate a way to move forward.
For those who can offer help
Can you step forward to be a helper to your arts colleagues in this time of need? We’re looking for experienced arts leaders who can spare some of your socially-isolated time in conversation with a peer who could use your suppor.
Arts Leaders Alone / Together has set up a quick and simple process for arts leaders to sign up for a slot with you. You set up and manage your schedule availability and the one-on-one conversations appointments will either be added to your calendar automatically or emailed to you.
You may be a CEO, department director, a manager, or a consultant or coach. As long as you have worked at an arts organization or something similar for five years or more and can provide friendly and useful advice and support to a colleague, you can be a helper!
Arts Leaders Alone / Together has also created a growing list of resources for arts leaders to share with one another and help navigate this period of time.
Read more about how this project came together.