National Arts Strategies, in partnership with the Bush Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of a new program for North Dakotans and South Dakotans who have the desire and potential to make positive changes where they live or work.
The Change Network is a cohort-style leadership development program that will give 30 participants the necessary skills and support to make the places they live and work better for everyone. In addition to being able to participate in this program at no cost, participants will receive coaching and may request funds to implement systems change in their organizations or communities. The cohort will be made up of participants from multiple-sectors – from nonprofits, corporations, academia, small business, government and community organizing. While the arts will be one vital tool in our exploration of complex issues, participation across fields is an exciting part of this inaugural program.
“We are honored to be part of the Change Networks collaborative and to be working with such a skilled and thoughtful group of partners,” said Gail Crider, President and CEO of National Arts Strategies. “NAS has a long history of cohort-based programs partnering with communities across the US. This is an exciting opportunity to add to our expertise in arts and community development to support and grow community change in both North Dakota and South Dakota.”
Change Networks is an initiative by the Minnesota-based Bush Foundation to partner with providers to create supportive learning environments for building the skills to lead change in a more equitable and inclusive manner. Participation in the program is fully funded by the Bush Foundation. All participants will have access to a $5,000 Change Network grant to implement an action plan or support a related, ongoing project. There are two Change Networks, one each in North Dakota and South Dakota, respectively.
North Dakotans and South Dakotans who see opportunities to make change in their organizations and communities are encouraged to apply for the Change Network program through July 12, 2017. For more information and how to apply, please visit www.artstrategies.org/programs/change-network-north-dakota/ or www.artstrategies.org/programs/change-network-south-dakota/ .
About the Team
NAS creates meaningful and useful educational experiences for leaders at all levels of the cultural ecosystem – from boards and CEOs to entrepreneurs and artists – giving them the tools, connections and support to transform their leadership, their organizations and their communities.
Our partners in the Change Network program hail from Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Our collaborative gives the cohort cross-sector insights, expertise and resources.
Our team includes Janice Downing, CEO of Common Sense Consulting @ Work, Jocelyn Hale, Principal of MillerHale Associates, Megan Laudenschlager, Executive Director of Strengthened ND, Kari O’Neill, Community Vitality Field Specialist at South Dakota State University Extension, Rosemarie Kelly Ndupuechi, President of Occasions by Rosemarie LLC, and Vision Maker Media.
