Frequently Asked Questions

Each Fellow will have access to a stipend of up to $10,000 to help offset the costs of participating in Creative Community Fellows: New England. A fellow will receive the full $10,000 if they meet the conditions for full program participation listed in the FAQ item above (i.e. attending both the Creative Community House and Launchpad in-person events, attending five group coaching sessions, and the three online gatherings.

Stipends are taxable income and will be issued starting in 2024.

Yes, we require that all participants attend in full (see below on what full attendance looks like). In joining Creative Community Fellows: New England, you are making a commitment to your peers. Past Fellows have told us that when others don’t attend in full, it dilutes the peer-learning exchange and the experience overall. For future years, we are working on an online-only program experience designed for those who cannot attend in-person events.

NAS is considering an online-only participation track to future cohorts of Creative Community Fellows: New England, but are not offering one at this time.

Sign up here to receive updates regarding our online-only program:

The venue for this event was chosen for its beautiful, tranquil setting in nature for us to learn together. It aligns with our values of accessibility, sustainability, and supporting entrepreneurs. It is an “unplugged” retreat.

Fellows will room with one other fellow from their cohort in beautifully-designed cabins which do not have electricity or wi-fi. There is a shared bathhouse near the cabins which also has electricity and space to charge devices. Reception can be found throughout the campus and wi-fi in the communal spaces. We can make accommodations for any participant with a medical need for electricity in their sleeping room.

Food will be prepared and provided by the venue team. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated when received ahead of time.

Yes, each fellow will have one roommate for both the Creative Community House and Launchpad events.

Someone who leads a project that uses arts-based approaches to drive change in their community.

• Project is already in motion or has been tested on a small scale
• Candidate connects deeply with community – forms community partnerships
• Candidate is curious, open, and seeks to both learn and share with peers
• Candidate centers equity in their work and seeks to deepen their knowledge and practice related to diversity, equity and inclusion

No. The program is intergenerational and our participants come with a range of experience levels. The important thing is that the project has advanced beyond the idea stage.

NAS is committed to creating a healthy environment for Fellows and for our team. As such, we require that all Fellows and team members provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters in advance of Creative Community House. Should you have a medical or a sincerely held religious reason for not being vaccinated, please contact us to explore accommodations.

In accordance with CDC and local health department guidelines, we may ask Fellows and team members to mask or test prior to and during our gatherings.

Review our COVID-19 guidelines here.

NAS aims to ensure that every gathering is comfortable, flexible, and safe. We understand that ADA compliance is just the beginning of a full picture of accessibility justice.

Below is a growing list of accessibility standards that we practice at every in-person event:

• Every facility that we use for programmatic purposes is up to ADA-accessibility standards. In some cases, recreational or outdoor spaces where we host events may not be accessible, but we begin conversations with on-site staff and owners as early as possible to provide a complete picture for attendees. If NAS provides lodging, we ensure that the chosen facility has rooms which meet or exceed ADA-accessibility standards.
• We strive for a smoke free environment and will assign designated areas for smoking away from the main activity spaces.
• We provide break time between sessions, ample time to check-in and get settled before event kick-offs, flexibility around speaking and sharing according to what’s comfortable for you, and always aim to provide advance information around schedules and activities.
• We provide safe, comfortable, and wheelchair-accessible transportation for any off-site events.
• We provide food, drinks, and snacks that meet the dietary requirements that are shared with us. We aim to ensure that food is served in an accessible manner and that low seating options are available.
• We provide designated quiet spaces and will provide low-sensory spaces and private spaces for religious accommodation upon request.
• We will provide CART, open-captioning, simultaneous translation, and other language support upon request.
• We provide clear, detailed Covid-19 policies in advance.

We will do our best to accommodate any services needed above what’s listed. We are growing our accessibility justice knowledge and practices—we’re always open to feedback and learning new things. You can reach out to us at info@artstrategies.org.