ASI’s MEDAL Program


ASI’s MEDAL (Molding Executives and Directors into Arts Leaders) Program is forging the next generation of WNY arts leaders.

The six (6) month training and mentorship program offers participants, or MEDALists, monthly workshops and presentations, along with resources, networking, and mentorship opportunities related to managing nonprofit arts or culture organizations.

The MEDAL program is similar to other leadership programs found in WNY, but it is the only program in the region that is specifically designed to meet the needs of newly appointed or promoted arts nonprofit leaders.

Participation in the program requires approximately 35 hours of commitment over a six-month period. Sessions will be held the third Thursday of the month between April and September of 2024.

Applications for the 2024 program have closed. 

 

 

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you for all you’ve done for us – I feel so much more secure in my ability to lead my organization and be successful as a new director. Having a cohort of my peers that I can now turn to is invaluable. It’s hard to be lonely as an ED when you’ve got so many people to rely on!

2023 MEDAList

I really love the opportunity to continue relationships with colleagues and others in this industry. Having ASI lead the charge for this opportunity is incredible and valued.

2023 MEDAList

2024 Schedule

February 29, 2024

Application deadline

April 18, 2024

Orientation / Meet and Greet

May 16, 2024

Leadership

June 20, 2024

Human Resources

July 18, 2024

Governance and Nonprofit Boards

August 15, 2024

Development

September 19, 2024

Closing / Leadership

 


Why choose MEDAL?

  • Each guest presenter and workshop be presented through a nonprofit arts lens with topics relatable to arts organizations of all sizes.
  • All presenters have been identified by ASI to be open, communicative, and collaborative to create meaningful and honest experiences.
  • Create lasting bonds with your fellow MEDALists and build your own support network in the WNY arts industry.
  • Each cohort receives continued support from ASI and their fellow MEDALists beyond the six-month program period.
  • ASI’s additional resources are open for your use including templates, access to other leaders, private office space, conference room, open area work space, laptops, iPads, recording equipment, and more.

FAQ’s

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for this program:

  • Must have entered a staff leadership* role for the first time within the past five (5) years.
  • Must be employed at a nonprofit arts or culture organization based in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, or Niagara counties.
  • Must be able to commit to participating in person for all of the listed dates.
  • Must have reliable transportation or the ability to get to venues located throughout the WNY region.
  • Cannot be a board member, volunteer, or independent contractor of the organization.

*For the purposes of this program, we consider leadership positions any director level administrative position, including Executive Director, Managing Director, Operations Director, etc. Depending on the size and structure of your organization, positions with the title of “manager” may also be considered.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a desire to continue in their nonprofit arts/culture leadership work, and who have an innate desire to learn and grow.

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the purple “Apply Now” button above or by clicking here to submit an application. The application should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. 

For any questions or issues, please contact Holly Grant at [email protected].

In addition to providing your contact information, applicants will be asked to answer several narrative questions, provide a resume or CV, and agree to ASI’s MEDAL program attendance policy.

If you wish to prepare your answers before going to the application form, you can view them in a PDF by clicking here.

Selected participants will represent a wide range of backgrounds, art forms, perspectives, experiences, and geographic locations. This is intentional to ensure as many perspectives are brought to the table as possible.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a desire to continue in their nonprofit arts/culture leadership work and an innate desire to learn and grow. Applicants should demonstrate strong personal initiative and motivation, as well as the ability to work well on teams that include varying viewpoints.

Selected participants are expected to attend every session. We ask applicants to confirm their schedule prior to applying for this program.

We intend to accept between 10 and 12 leaders into the 2024 cohort.

Cohorts are intentionally kept small to ensure everyone feels comfortable, has their specific needs addressed and supported, and receives adequate attention and time during the learning sessions. We feel people learn best when they feel safe and free to share openly without fear of judgement or retaliation. Participants are expected to treat everyone with respect and to be open to different perspectives and opinions.

Participation in this program requires approximately 35 hours of commitment over a six (6) month period.

Sessions will be held the third Thursday of the month between April and September of 2024. Five of the sessions, taking place between May and September, will be six hours each. An opening orientation will be a shorter day, but still requires attendance.

Selected participants are required to commit to every session. Failure to attend a session could result in removal from the program.

Dates & Times

January 29, 2024
Information and Applications released

February 29, 2024 by 5:00 pm
Applications due 

By March 14, 2024
Participants selected and announced

Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm
Orientation / Meet and Greet

Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Leadership

Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Human Resources

Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Governance and Board

Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Development

Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closing – Leadership, feedback, and happy hour/networking

Each session will be held in a different location. However, we don’t determine the final locations for each month’s session until we know who is in the program. This is intentional to ensure we are being equitable and selecting locations that are close to all of our program participants, so no participant has a far drive every single month.

We do ask that each applicant have reliable transportation or a way to get to any venue (including carpooling) within the five (5) county region of Western New York, as the program is open to leaders in all five (5) counties. Locations will be confirmed by the first session in April.

This six-month program will include orientation, four in depth learning sessions, and a closing event that ties it all together. While there are many things arts and culture nonprofit leaders need to know, we chose the top issues that will make everyone a better leader.

  1. Leadership: includes how to create a positive and inspiring workplace culture. Participants will take DiSC Work of Leaders Assessments that will help them identify their leadership style and better understand their own strengths and challenges as leaders. The goal is to help MEDALists create a happy and healthy culture for their staff and volunteers.
  2. Human Resources: this is one of the most commonly requested topics that impacts everyone. As the majority of nonprofit arts and culture organizations do not employ or contract with a human resources professional, this work is often done by someone in the leadership team. In addition to the basics of hiring, firing, benefits, employment packages, and payroll, participants will learn what is required by law and what is best practice.
  3. Governance: this topic helps leaders understand what is required legally of an organization, including required organization documents and annual filings, and the relationship between the staff and board of directors. Board members from each organization may be invited to join this session and learn how to be better partners to the organization’s executive staff. 
  4. Development: raising money is one of the top priorities for nonprofit leaders as it is how the organization stays solvent. The exact areas of development and finance that will be covered will be determined by the needs of those accepted into the program. 
  5. Back to Leadership: MEDALists will complete self-awareness and self-exploration exercises individually and as a team to ensure each participant is set up for success no matter what situation they find themselves in.

There is so much that leaders of nonprofit arts and culture organizations need to know. But we also know that leaders don’t have a lot of time they can take away from their work to learn these things. That’s why these sessions will be high-level overviews focused on the most important aspects of running a nonprofit arts or culture organization in the WNY region. To help fill in the gaps, ASI will provide participants with resources and additional opportunities that they can peruse on their own.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect to past MEDAL participants who have offered to mentor and connect with new cohort members. While the ASI staff are always available for support and questions, we feel that connecting to those who are doing similar work has long lasting and far reaching benefits. This also acts as a networking tool to help strengthen the entire WNY arts and culture industry.

Thanks to the generous support of ASI’s funders, this program is being offered free of charge for 2024. The estimated value of this program is $3,500 per participant.

Depending on available future funding, a small fee may be added in subsequent years.

Meet our 2024 MEDALists

Gerard Briggs
Gerard BriggsFull Circle Family Services
Hy Carrel
Hy CarrelCommunity Canvases
Tami Fuller
Tami FullerRoycrofters at Large Association
Matthew Marco
Matthew MarcoBuffalo Opera Unlimited
Riley Nahlik
Riley NahlikBuffalo Philharmonic Chorus
Myra Ofield
Myra OfieldYITC Foundation Inc.
Emily Reynolds
Emily ReynoldsThe Buffalo Institute of Contemporary Art
Michael Russo
Michael RussoStarring Buffalo
Ricardo Saeb Valenzuela
Ricardo Saeb ValenzuelaBuffalo String Works
Jun Wang-Tiedemann
Jun Wang-TiedemannAPAPA Buffalo-Niagara Chapter

2024 MEDAL Presenters

Anthony Billoni
Anthony BilloniAPEX Leader Growth
Presenter – Leadership
Collin Gehl
Collin GehlHuman Resources Director, Say Yes Buffalo
Presenter – Human Resources
Nikki Ronan
Nikki RonanFounder & Consultant, City of Light Creative & Consulting
Presenter – Governance
Michael de Freitas
Michael de FreitasAttorney, William C. Moran & Associates
Presenter – Governance

Looking back: Our 2023 MEDALists