Arts Intranet

This past September, I had the honor of being invited to the Americans for the Arts Executive Leadership Forum (ELF). ELF is where arts leaders running local arts agencies from all over the country come together for four inspiring days in Sundance, Utah. We are Executive Directors. Some of us are managing large city agencies with million-dollar budgets, some are managing mid-sized agencies, and some are managing small, but mighty, agencies such as mine in Oak Park, Illinois. While we are all different and a rather diverse group of people, we are indeed alike in many ways. Those that attend ELF become fast friends as we began the four-day journey. Each of us comes with the hope of exploring ways to become more effective leaders in our respective communities. This forum offers all participants the chance to share their stories, seek and give advice, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.

The Americans for the Arts staff does an excellent job in filling each day with deep dive sessions, presenters, and meaningful activities, as well as personal time to reflect and enjoy the nature that surrounds us. This year, we had a fabulous time working on a team building art project with Americans for the Arts’ 2018 Johnson Fellow for Artists Transforming Communities, Tanya Aguiñiga. Together, we were taught how to create a piece of fiber art using wool, cheesecloth, water, and a soapy organic solution. Ahead of time we were asked to pack an oversized old t-shirt, but not told what we would need it for. It turns out, this activity was the reason for the t-shirt.

Using our fingers, we “wove” the wool into the cheesecloth working on a very long table. The organic soapy solution was next, poured onto the wool fiber and the real fun began! We scrunched, smooshed, and worked the colorful wool until it became one very large piece of art. We laughed, some of us got soaked, but we all had a really good time. After tossing and pounding the fiber, it was spread out and left to dry in the warm Utah sun. There were zero restrictions placed on our patterns; we made holes and patterns in the wool and allowed the creativity to flow! The art was then cut into pieces so each of us could bring a piece home on the last day. My piece hangs in my home as a constant reminder of that afternoon at ELF and the friendships formed during the Forum.

As part of the prep for attending ELF and the discussions we would be having, each participant submits a Leadership Challenge, which offers a chance for participants to discuss the climates and challenges of our communities. They are issues we are struggling with, and trying to solve, for our town and organization. Every challenge is read, and people decide who they would like to help through honest discussion. At first, it may seem unsettling to open yourself up to constructive feedback. You quickly move past that fear as you realize your misgivings are needless. The constructive feedback you receive is thoughtful, thorough, and delivered in a nonjudgmental and respectful way. You are in a safe place, with people who genuinely care. We often remind ourselves “what happens on the mountain, stays on the mountain!” My biggest takeaway was the wonderful people I met at the ELF. I now have 15 arts leaders that I can call when I have a question, a problem, or want to hear a friendly voice. I recently attended another Americans for the Arts conference in St. Louis the first weekend of December. What a surprise, when two of my ELF buddies were also in St. Louis attending the same conference!

I want to wrap up this ELF blog by saying how magical it was to be in the majestic mountains of Sundance. It is the perfect setting to unwind, power down, and be quiet. The accommodations are outstanding. Americans for the Arts makes sure that every meal is a feast; there is delicious food with a host of different choices for all to enjoy. The Sundance staff could not have been more professional, attentive, or friendly. Every Local Arts Agency Executive Director should have the chance to experience the ELF. You will return home renewed, reinvigorated and armed with new ways of thinking that will change your life and better serve your community. Of course, you cannot forget that you will have 15 new and very cool buddies!

Applications for the 2019 Executive Leadership Forum are now being accepted. Deadline is April 5, 2019.